The National Institute of Ecology is focusing on increasing the ecological sensitivity of future generations, including college and elementary school students, through field-oriented education programs. Through collaboration with the National Kunsan National University RISE Project Group, we provided undergraduate students with a field trip to CITES animal protection facilities and imparted practical knowledge of bird ecology to strengthen their major capabilities. In addition, through the ‘Life Science Class’, elementary school students are allowed to directly experience the principles of ecosystem circulation and the importance of protecting endangered species, thereby reminding them that environmental conservation is not simply knowledge in textbooks but a practical value. This type of experiential education serves as a core foundation for students to experience the importance of living things and develop scientific knowledge.

In order to expand contact points for communication with the public, the National Institute of Ecology is implementing novel strategies that utilize everyday spaces such as professional baseball. The ‘Ramsar Day’ event, which has been running for 6 years in conjunction with the East Asia Ramsar Regional Center, is the result of efforts to convey the value of wetlands to the public more familiarly. Photo zone events using the otter character ‘Gangdal’ and field education at Jangrok Wetland naturally help citizens empathize with the need for wetland conservation. These attempts show that environmental protection is not a rigid and difficult task, but is evolving into a cultural campaign that can be incorporated into our daily lives.

Organic cooperation between institutions for biodiversity conservation is also one of the important competitivenesses of the National Institute of Ecology. The recent plant exchange with Geoje Botanical Garden is evaluated as a successful example of cooperation that secured plant genetic resources and raised the level of exhibition to the next level. In particular, we have laid the foundation for the stable conservation of rare plants by mutually exchanging ‘Jukjeolcho’, an endangered wild species designated by the Ministry of Environment. In this way, strategic partnerships with major domestic institutions are becoming a practical and effective alternative to achieve the common goal of ecosystem conservation, and this cooperation system is expected to be further strengthened in the future.

The practice of ESG management, which links corporate and social values, is also a major activity area of the National Institute of Ecology. The wetland field training conducted with KT and group company executives and employees is an exemplary example of linking corporate social responsibility with ecological conservation activities in commemoration of World Biological Diversity Day. Training using activity sheets developed by researchers systematically conveyed the importance of wetlands to participants and presented a new milestone for companies to share environmental values ​​with the local community. This serves as an indicator that ecological conservation can only be completed when not only the efforts of government agencies but also companies and civil society participate together.