The Forest Service announced on the 29th that it will select the top five sites from 114 award-winning restoration sites in the “National Forest Ecological Restoration Technology Contest,” which has been operated since 2005, to determine the best of the best.
This evaluation is a procedure to review the effectiveness and achievement of forest ecological restoration objectives. Final candidate sites were selected through document and on-site evaluations conducted by external experts and an internal screening panel, based on completeness, symbolism, and manageability. The final ranking will be determined after reflecting the results of a public vote.
The final results will be released on September 15th through the website of the Korea Forest Conservation Association. The institution which wins the top prize will receive the Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Award along with a prize of 5 million won. Two institutions will be awarded the Forest Service Chief’s Award and 2 million won each for excellence, and two institutions will receive the Korea Forest Conservation Association Award or the Korea Forest Restoration Association Award and 1 million won each for distinction.
The Forest Service has been discovering cases of restoration of damaged forests, such as abandoned quarries and roads, with eco-friendly methods and materials through the technology contest every year. This year’s 20th contest aims to conduct a comprehensive review of the accumulated achievements so far.
Institutions wishing to participate can download the application form from the Forest Service or Korea Forest Conservation Association website and submit it via email or mail by July 27th.
Choi Young-tae, head of the Forest Protection Bureau of the Forest Service, stated, “The significance of this selection lies in the public’s direct participation in determining the most outstanding forest restoration site,” and added, “We will continue to push for the restoration of damaged forests such as the Baekdudaegan using eco-friendly methods.”
