Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) Academic Forest (Director of the Academic Forest, Professor Lee Chang‑heon) has received strong public response after conducting a forest-based healing program for local residents as part of the National University Development Project.

The 'Forest Healing Program', which has been running from November last year through February, was organized to raise awareness among local residents about the importance of forests and to provide opportunities for healing during the COVID-19 era by utilizing the university's abundant resources.

To date, more than 360 people from 12 institutions — including local kindergartens and elementary, middle and high schools — have participated in the forest experience education. Tailored programs by group were conducted at JBNU Jeonju Deokjin Academic Forest (Geonji Mountain).

In particular, on the 22nd last weekend, about 30 people, including the affiliated organization Jeonju Life Forest and local residents, attended the 'Carbon-Neutral Forest Creation with Citizens' event, which provided an opportunity to inform local residents about the importance of forests.

At the event, participants engaged in activities such as pruning, in-forest maintenance and forest experience education to cultivate and care for the forest environment and to improve health and the natural environment.

It is also expected that installing labels on trees across the university campus will provide students, university community members and local residents with opportunities to learn about the trees.

Professor Lee Chang‑heon, Director of the Academic Forest at JBNU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said, "We will continue to fulfill the role of a regional flagship national university that coexists with the local community by providing welfare services to local residents through various forest-related events using the university's abundant resources."