Ramsar Wetland Guardians Program’ in operation at Jilmoe-neup Wetland, the only alpine Ramsar wetland in South Korean National P

Jilmoe-neup in Odaesan National Park is the only alpine Ramsar wetland within Korea’s national parks and holds significant ecological value. While it is strictly managed for biodiversity and nature conservation, growing concerns over climate change and the push for carbon neutrality highlight the need for broader public interest and involvement in wetland protection. In response, there is a shift from a solely protection-oriented approach toward one that encourages active public participation. It aims to help people rediscover the ecological importance of wetlands and take part in conservation efforts. To support this, the ‘Ramsar Wetland Guardians’ program was developed as the citizen participation program. It combines environmental education with hands-on exploration of wetland ecology. Through the BioBlitz method, participants work alongside experts to survey the biodiversity of Jilmoe-neup, document their findings, and engage in activities that monitor ecological changes within the wetland.