Korea National Park Service holds 21st National Park Volunteer Convention

Outstanding volunteers honored; best practices shared across parks

Youth volunteers with the Climate Action Youth Corps take part in a coastal stream protection campaign. [Korea National Park Service]
Youth volunteers with the Climate Action Youth Corps take part in a coastal stream protection campaign. [Korea National Park Service]

The Korea National Park Service, under the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, announced Monday that it will hold the 21st National Park Volunteer Convention on Tuesday at the Andong International Convention Center in North Gyeongsang Province.

Launched in 2002, the convention is held annually on a rotating regional basis to honor the dedication of volunteers who have served at national parks across the country and to share activity outcomes and best practices from each park. This year marks its 21st edition.

National park volunteers are certified individuals who complete 10 hours of accredited training and regularly contribute more than 70 hours a year within national parks. This year, 1,020 volunteers have been certified and are active.

About 800 people are expected to attend, including volunteers from national parks across the country, Korea National Park Service executives and staff, representatives of major volunteer organizations, and officials from the city of Andong.

The convention will feature awards for outstanding volunteers, inductions into the Hall of Fame, presentations of best practices, a lecture by an invited speaker, and networking and social events among participants.

"The 21st Volunteer Convention is an occasion to express our gratitude and respect to all the volunteers who have worked so hard to preserve our national parks," Korea National Park Service Chairman Ju Dae-young said. "The service will support efforts to further invigorate national park volunteering and work to spread a culture of sustained service."


thlee@heraldcorp.com