Taking the Lead in Protecting Ecological Resources in Dangjin

The kick-off ceremony for “I’m a Citizen Scientist, Too” program

For the “I’m a Citizen Scientist, Too” program, a total of 20 students were selected, from 4th grade elementary school to middle school students residing in Dangjin. The program aims to survey various local ecological resources, while raising awareness about the significance of biodiversity and its conservation. 

The 20 students, who were recruited through local media and online applications from April 4 to April 15, took part in a kick-off ceremony on April 20. They will be engaged in activities until June 16. 

Before diving into the actual activities, the students will receive preliminary education on the value of biodiversity, the current status of ecological resources in Dangjin, their role as citizen scientists, and methods for observing and recording biological data. After this training, they will be performing ecological monitoring and surveys at places such as Eumseom Port and Dangjincheon Stream for field work as citizen scientists. 

Also, starting this year, Hyundai Steel has initiated the “Endangered Species Conservation Project,” involving local citizens, staff, and environmental and ecological experts. This mid to long-term social contribution project, undertaken in response to the increasing global demand for corporate responsibility and active intervention in biodiversity conservation, has the goal of identifying endangered species in areas where company worksites are located and carrying out conservation activities. Various local environmental NGOs in Dangjin are actively participating in the project, including Dangjin Federation for Environmental Movements, Dangjin Council for Sustainable Development, Pulssi – Ecological Environment Education Research Institute, and Our Seed Research Institute.

“Biodiversity conservation is a global issue but efforts in this area must begin in the local community,” a Hyundai Steel spokesperson commented. “We plan to continue pursuing various projects to conserve endangered species and biodiversity in the areas where our worksites are located, working in collaboration with local residents and NGOs.”