Suwon City and Korea National Arboretum to Work Together on Plant Genetic Resource Conservation Through 'Plant Governance'

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jeong Jun-seong] Suwon Special City and the Korea National Arboretum have agreed to cooperate on plant genetic resource conservation through 'plant governance.'

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon and Korea National Arboretum Director Lim Young-seok signed a 'Memorandum of Understanding on Display, Conservation, and Education of Plant Genetic Resources' on the 12th at the Korea National Arboretum in Pocheon City.

Under the MOU, both organizations have committed to △joint research for plant genetic resource conservation △exchange and support of forest biological resources △technical review and consultation on arboretum and garden creation △support and cooperation in operating exhibition and education programs △information exchange and cooperation on garden industry and garden plants, etc.

The city will participate in the 'Korea National Arboretum Plant Governance Project.' The plant governance project is a collaboration between the national government and local governments to conserve, restore, and disseminate region-based plant resources through plants as a medium. Additionally, the city will provide sites for indigenous plant gardens and will recruit citizens to participate in garden creation.

Based on accumulated knowledge in research and development such as large-scale propagation technology cultivation, the Korea National Arboretum will promote the conservation, restoration, and dissemination of 6 species including rare plants in Suwon such as Neofinetia falcata var. koshunensis and Tofieldia nuda subsp. kondoi, as well as indigenous plants with 'Suwon' in their names: Suwon Agalma, Suwon Valley, Suwon Sedge, Suwon Spike-rush, Suwon Adenophora, and Suwon Aspen.

The city is conducting various collaborative activities with the Korea National Arboretum, including ESG programs (corporate environmental and social contribution activities) such as Ecoteering and Citizen Participation Program for Cherry Blossom Ending.

Suwon Mayor Lee Jae-joon said, "We will revitalize cooperation in garden industry and garden plant-related tasks to promote carbon-neutral garden creation in daily life with Suwon citizens," and added, "We ask for the participation and interest of citizens so that Suwon's carbon-neutral garden model can spread throughout the entire Suwon City."