Hansujeong, Establishes 'Rare and Indigenous Plant Conservation Center' as Part of NFT Issuance Project

The Korea National Arboretum Management Service (hereinafter referred to as KNAS) announced on the 20th that it has established a conservation garden for rare and native plants at Shingu University Botanical Garden as part of the 'Biodiversity NFT (Non-Fungible Token) Issuance Project.'

The conservation garden was created on a 587㎡ area within the Shingu University Botanical Garden using funds raised through the NFT issuance project.

The plants planted here include over 80 species of rare and native plants such as Seomguksunamu, Kkorimalbaldori, Manbyeongcho, Kkotgaehoenamu, Gaebyeongpung, and Usannamul, all issued as NFTs.

On the 20th, after the opening ceremony of the 'Rare and Native Plant Conservation Center' at Shingu University Botanical Garden, attendees are taking a commemorative photo. Photo by Korea National Arboretum Management Office

The NFT issuance project is a key initiative promoted by KNAS. Now in its third year, this project combines biodiversity, which has irreplaceable characteristics, with NFTs. It holds significance as Korea's first forest biological resource NFT project, designed to raise awareness about the importance of conserving endangered plants in the country.

Previously, in 2022, KNAS planned this project in collaboration with Dunamu (a blockchain and fintech specialized company) to conserve biodiversity.

At that time, the project began by issuing NFTs for 12 species of rare and native plants with high conservation value. KNAS has also used the proceeds from the early sold-out sales of NFTs for Busan Kkoripul and Seomguksunamu as a fund for protecting endangered plants.

Since last year, the NFT issuance project has expanded in scale and substance with the participation of the Environmental Foundation, in addition to KNAS and Dunamu.

Ryu Kwang-soo, Chairman of KNAS, said, “Following KNAS’s attempt to issue Korea’s first NFTs using forest biological resources, we have established a conservation garden for rare and native plants to simultaneously engage in endangered plant protection activities. We will continue to promote biodiversity conservation activities combined with digital technology and strive to build a co-growth ecosystem as an ESG project involving public and private arboretums nationwide.”

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