Offered in partnership with the Korea Forest Welfare Institute, the two courses cover forest exploration, AI content creation, and literary and artistic activities. Open to adult residents — registration begins Monday.
Gwangjin-gu will run its "2026 Forest Sector Lifelong Learning" program in November, offering residents a chance to discover the many values of forests and weave them into everyday life.
The program was developed in partnership with the Korea Forest Welfare Institute to bring forest education into residents' daily surroundings. It is designed to deepen understanding of local forests and woodland resources while giving participants fresh ways to experience nature through digital content creation and literary and artistic activities.
The curriculum comprises two courses: "Our Neighborhood Forest Creator with AI" and "A Forest User's Guide Through Literature." Each course runs four sessions under the guidance of professional instructors at the Gwangjin-gu Lifelong Learning Center. All classes are free, with tuition covered by the Korea Forest Welfare Institute.
"Our Neighborhood Forest Creator with AI" runs every Monday from Nov. 9 to Nov. 30, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will venture into local forests to document woodland resources through photos and writing, then use generative AI tools — drawing on their collected materials and official forest data — to produce and share content introducing and recommending nearby green spaces.
"A Forest User's Guide Through Literature" runs every Friday from Nov. 6 to Nov. 27, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Participants will read and discuss literary works set in forests, then explore nature through a range of hands-on activities — nature art using photosensitive paper, transcription of favorite passages, a forest-produce tea ceremony, and a small exhibition of completed works.
The courses are open to adult residents with an interest in forest education. Each course accepts 20 participants on a first-come, first-served basis, for a combined total of 40 spots.
Registration opens Monday through the education portal on the Gwangjin-gu website, or by phone or in-person visit to the Gwangjin-gu Lifelong Learning Center. For further details, contact the Gwangjin-gu Lifelong Learning Center directly.
"I hope this program gives residents a chance to discover the value of the forests around us and put what they learn to use in their daily lives," Gwangjin-gu District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho said. "We will continue working with specialist institutions to support residents in experiencing lifelong learning across a wide range of fields."
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