Professor Kim Chang-hwan (College of Environmental & Bioresource Sciences, Department of Ecology Landscape Architecture-Design) received the Presidential Award at a recent commemorative event marking the 18th World Environment Day in recognition of his contributions to environmental conservation, restoration, and education.

As a professor at Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), Professor Kim has actively participated in nationwide natural environment surveys, inland wetland surveys, detailed vegetation surveys, and the Ungok Wetland survey in Gochang, all of which have been carried out by the Ministry of Environment and the National Wetland Center of the National Institute of Environmental Research.

In particular, his survey of the Ungok Wetland in Gochang contributed to its designation as a Ramsar site. His investigations into the Gochang biosphere reserve also made a significant contribution to Gochang County's inscription as a biosphere reserve under UNESCO's MAB program.

He has been active in environmental conservation as a national park advisory committee member and expert investigator, as a member of joint ecological survey teams for the Demilitarized Zone organized by the Ministry of Unification, as an environmental education assistant for the Ministry of Environment, and through activities with organizations such as the Korea Association for Conservation of Nature and the Ecological Society of Korea. In particular, he has served as an environmental review committee member and advisor for the Saemangeum Regional Environmental Office, the Yeongsan River Basin Regional Environmental Office, and the Geum River Basin Regional Environmental Office, and has been recognized for helping raise awareness of both the environmental and ecological value and the economic value of domestic environmental and ecological resources.

He is currently appointed and active as an environmental education specialist assistant for the Ministry of Environment. He has informed the public about the importance of environmental conservation by contributing articles to broadcast media, newspapers, and magazines. His work has focused on the conservation, restoration, and management of natural ecosystems in North Jeolla Province—including forest ecosystems, river ecosystems, and saline wetlands—ecological purification activities, monitoring for the conservation of animal and plant habitats, and community outreach.

Professor Kim Chang-hwan said, 'As a scholar who studies natural ecosystems, it is only natural to engage in domestic environmental conservation and research, so receiving such a major award is a heavy responsibility.' He added, 'Since this award carries the meaning that I should devote even more effort to research on and conservation of domestic ecosystems, I will work harder.'