Changwon Special City Launches Full-Scale Biodiversity Conservation Activities with Citizen Biological Survey Group

Expanding Regional Ecological Value Through Public-Private-Academic Cooperation
Citizen-Led Conservation Activities in Action

Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam Province is actively advancing the activities of the "2026 Changwon Citizen Biological Survey Group" to preserve the local ecosystem and promote biodiversity.

Changwon Special City, Citizen Biological Survey Group Launches Biodiversity Conservation Activities in Full Scale.
Photo by Changwon City

The 284 members across 27 teams, who were selected in March, began their first field survey on the 17th and will conduct at least five regular surveys of biological species and activities to remove invasive species in streams, parks, and forests within the city until November.

This year, practical ecological restoration activities in collaboration with local businesses are being actively carried out. On the 6th, BNK Kyongnam Bank began planting Suaeda japonica, a halophyte, in Bongam Tidal Flat. On the 10th, Hanwha Aerospace contributed to planting Aristolochia contorta to restore the butterfly Sericinus montela in Namcheon, and on the 23rd, Denso assisted with similar efforts in Usancheon. Ongoing year-round monitoring will be conducted to check whether the plants have taken root and to assess the status of biological habitats.

In particular, the restoration of Sericinus montela butterflies was initiated after citizens directly confirmed the presence of the butterflies around Namcheon last year, making it a representative example of a virtuous cycle where "survey" leads to "restoration."

Last year, the survey group (22 teams, 212 members) recorded over 450 species through a total of 94 surveys. Notably, they reconfirmed the presence of key species such as the brackish water snail in Usancheon and the firefly Luciola lateralis around Toechoncheon, while also playing a key role in protecting the local ecosystem by removing invasive species such as ragweed and bur cucumber.

Yu Jeong Lee, Director of the Climate and Environment Bureau, stated, "The ecological data recorded by citizens throughout their daily lives is a valuable asset that enhances the precision of Changwon's environmental policy," and added, "We will continue to work closely with businesses and citizens to sustainably preserve Changwon's natural environment."

Meanwhile, the "Changwon Citizen Biological Survey Group" has been recognized as a citizen-participatory biodiversity conservation model, receiving the 17th Korea Sustainable Development Award in November last year. It is now established as a key public-private-academic collaboration project representing Changwon Special City.

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