About This Project
Bukhansan National Park, located right on the edge of the sprawling metropolis of Seoul, serves as the primary "green lungs" for over 10 million residents. Its dense forests, hiking trails, and ancient granite peaks provide a crucial ecological escape. However, high visitor foot traffic, soil erosion, and urban encroachment have degraded the mountain's buffer zones, stripping away native vegetation and eroding mountain soil.
The Bukhansan Urban Forest Revitalization project is a community-driven initiative launched by Dasom Saessak Initiative in 2023. Our goal is to restore the degraded lower slopes, plant native deciduous trees, run community-led forest farming tours, and establish school partnerships to train the next generation of environmental stewards.
"Healing Bukhansan is not just about environmental conservation — it is about reconnecting Seoul's urban residents directly with the soil and the forests that sustain them."
— Ms. Choi Ji-won, Lead Coordinator, Bukhansan Green Community
The Challenge
Soil Erosion
Millions of yearly hikers compact and wear down mountain trail soils, leading to severe erosion during the heavy monsoon summer rains.
Loss of Native Canopy
Degraded buffer zones are highly vulnerable to invasive weeds and black locust trees, outcompeting native Korean oaks and maples.
Urban Disconnect
Despite living right next to a national park, many urban youth in Seoul grow up with limited hands-on ecological education or agricultural experience.
Wildfire Risk
Accumulated dry undergrowth and rising spring temperatures in recent years have dramatically increased the risk of brush fires in urban transition zones.
Our Approach
We use a community-centric forestry approach, blending ecological restoration with citizen agriculture and hands-on school programs.
Native Oak Reforestation
We propagate native Korean oak (Quercus) and maple seeds in community nurseries, planting them on degraded trail buffer zones to stabilize the soil and restore the natural canopy.
Community Forest Farming
We operate urban agricultural plots on the park's boundaries. Volunteers learn organic farming, composting, and soil care, providing fresh produce to local elderly centers.
Eco-School Partnerships
We run weekly environmental workshops for Seoul elementary and middle school students, incorporating hands-on planting trips and nature walks directly into their science curriculum.
Project Timeline & Milestones
Project Launch
Established our first community farm plots in Jeongneung. Enrolled 80 local volunteers for initial soil remediation sweeps.
First 1,500 Oak Saplings Planted
Volunteers planted native Mongolian oak saplings along the eroded trail boundaries near the Bogungmun pass.
Eco-School Program Initiated
Partnered with 4 elementary schools in the Seongbuk district, hosting over 600 students for weekend forestry workshops.
Expanding Trail Stabilization
Currently scaling up fiber-mat installations to protect steep, eroded trail banks before the summer monsoon season. Seeking ₩4,600,000 to close our fundraising target.
Self-Sustaining Community Trust
Transitioning the community farms and nursery operations to a self-sufficient cooperative led entirely by local volunteers and school representatives.
Latest Updates
Spring Harvest Yields 450kg for Local Seniors
Our community farm volunteers successfully harvested their spring vegetables, distributing fresh organic lettuce, radish, and herbs to local senior care centers. Read Story →
Arbor Day Drive: 800 Oak Trees Planted
Over 180 volunteers joined our Arbor Day reforestation drive, planting oak saplings on the degraded slopes near the Ui-dong entrance.