'BioBlitz Seoul' to be Held on the Confluence of Jungnangcheon and Cheonggyecheon on the 17th of Next Month

Citizens and Experts Explore Biodiversity of Plants, Fish, Birds, and Insects Along the River Area

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 22nd that it will hold the '2022 BioBlitz Seoul' on September 17 at the confluence of Jungnangcheon and Cheonggyecheon in Seongdong-gu to raise public awareness about biodiversity conservation amid the rapid decline caused by the climate crisis.

BioBlitz is a compound word of "Bio," meaning living organisms, and "Blitz," meaning a sudden intensive attack. It is an event where biological experts and citizens together find and list all species in a given area. In Korea, BioBlitz Korea has been held since 2010 under the auspices of the National Arboretum, and in 2015, Seoul became the first local government to hold 'BioBlitz Seoul,' starting with Iljasan Urban Nature Park and Gildong Ecological Park in Gangdong-gu, and has continuously promoted it at World Cup Park, Suraksan, Gwanaksan, Namsan, and Buk Seoul Dream Forest.

This year, the event will explore various species such as birds, fish, insects, and plants under the theme of 'Biodiversity of Rivers' at the confluence of Jungnangcheon and Cheonggyecheon in Seongdong-gu. The confluence area is used as a pleasant resting space for citizens and was designated as a migratory bird protection area by Seoul in 2005, where efforts are made to protect migratory birds and increase their influx. It is also one of the locations where the endangered Eurasian otter was discovered, and in today's society where coexistence with wildlife is necessary, the ecological value of Jungnangcheon and Cheonggyecheon will be shared with citizens.

Meanwhile, due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19, the Seoul Metropolitan Government plans to reduce the event duration from 2 days (24 hours) to 1 day (8 hours) and the number of participants from the original 2,000 to 500.

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, meals will not be provided, and participants will have individual meals. Also, self-diagnostic kits will be provided upon registration, and participants will join the program only after confirming a negative result. Seating at the venue will be arranged with a 1-meter distance, and safety personnel will be deployed to ensure a safe event.

The event base camp will be at Salgot Sports Park in Seongdong-gu, and the program consists of ▲Walk ▲Talk ▲Biodiversity Festival. The Walk program is the core activity of this event, divided into a survey program where participants can experience expert observation and an educational program guided by experts to discover and observe species inhabiting the survey site. The Talk program introduces the ecological value of Jungnangcheon and Cheonggyecheon and the species found during the survey, followed by a dialogue between participants and experts.

Various exhibition and experience booths related to biodiversity will also be prepared at the 'Biodiversity Festival,' featuring activities such as naming species, detailed illustration drawing, and a photo exhibition of species living in Jungnangcheon and Cheonggyecheon.

Yoo Young-bong, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Green City and Leisure Bureau, stated, “Environmental issues faced by humans, such as the spread of COVID-19 and the climate crisis, remind us of the importance of biodiversity.” He added, “Since the event will be held face-to-face to emphasize exploration and experience, we will do our best in quarantine and safety to carry out a meaningful event.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.