Gangwon Province Demonstrates Excellence in Forest Resource Project Implementation

Top Institution in “Excellent Reforestation Site Grown by Us”
and Excellent Institution in “Eco-Friendly Timber Harvesting”

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) announced on October 17 that it has been honored as the top institution in the “2025 Excellent Reforestation Site Grown by Us” evaluation, organized by the Korea Forest Service, and as an excellent institution in the “2025 Best Practices in Eco-Friendly Timber Harvesting” evaluation.

Scenic View of Excellent Reforested Area (Gangneung, 2023 Wildfire Damage Site). Provided by Gangwon Province

◆ Top Institution in “Excellent Reforestation Site Grown by Us”

The “Excellent Reforestation Site Grown by Us” evaluation is a system implemented by the Korea Forest Service since 2019. It aims to select and promote outstanding reforestation sites, thereby spreading best practices and improving the quality of reforestation projects. The evaluation targets affiliated agencies and local governments under the Korea Forest Service.

This year, the evaluation targeted reforestation restoration sites damaged by wildfires, fire-resistant forest belts, and idle land reforestation sites. Award-winning sites were selected through document screening and on-site evaluations. The restoration reforestation site in Nangok-dong, Gangneung, which suffered major wildfire damage, received the top award.

This area, located in Jodong-san 23, Gangneung, was severely damaged by a large wildfire in 2023. The province reflected the opinions of forest owners and planted 6 hectares of wild pear trees. Following reforestation, continuous management by Gangneung City and the forest owners, including tree girth pruning, established the site as a successful model for restoration reforestation.

Reharvest site view (Doyurim, Duchon-myeon, Hongcheon). Provided by Gangwon Province

◆ Excellent Institution in “Eco-Friendly Timber Harvesting”

The “Eco-Friendly Timber Harvesting” evaluation selects business sites that apply harvesting methods designed to maintain ecological and landscape functions and minimize disaster impacts in forests of 5 hectares or more.

In this year’s evaluation, the timber harvesting project conducted in Doyurim, Gwaeseok-ri, Duchon-myeon, Hongcheon County (San 76-5) was selected as an outstanding site for eco-friendly timber harvesting for 2024-2025. This marks the second consecutive year that the site has received this recognition.

At this site, a preliminary feasibility study was conducted to comprehensively review project suitability, landscape, and disaster impacts. More than 20% of the harvested area was preserved as forest stands and belts, and 73% of the forest impact zone was secured to conserve habitats for wild flora and fauna. These efforts minimized ecological impact and earned recognition as a leading model for eco-friendly timber harvesting.

Yoon Seung-gi, Director of the Forest Environment Bureau of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, stated, “By selecting excellent reforestation sites, we will encourage healthy competition and spread best practices to increase the success rate of reforestation and establish a foundation for sustainable forest management through systematic follow-up management. Moving forward, we will continue to expand eco-friendly timber harvesting projects that prioritize forest ecosystems and landscape.”

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