Busan is good

Catch Carbon (GO), Catch Health (GO)! Carbon-Neutral Forest Healing Program Launched for Senior Community Center Users

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the "Carbon-Neutral Forest Healing Program" will operate until October for 2,080 senior citizens from 104 senior community centers across the city.

Outdoor activities will begin tomorrow (April 3) at the Sinbulsan Falls National Forest Recreation Center.

This program, managed by the Busan Senior Community Center Metropolitan Support Center and funded by the Korea Forest Welfare Institute’s green fund (from lottery proceeds), aims to educate senior citizens about the forest’s role in achieving carbon neutrality.

Through forest experiences, it also seeks to stabilize seniors' emotional health, improve physical wellbeing, and elevate their overall quality of life.

Overview of the Carbon-Neutral Forest Healing Program:

1. Period: March to October 2025

2. Locations: Senior community centers, Sinbulsan Falls National Forest Recreation Center

3. Target: 104 senior community centers (2,080 senior citizens)

4. Content:

   1) Indoor Activities: Carbon-neutrality education, bear-shaped topiary-making

   2) Outdoor Activities: Forest walks, forest interpretation, foot baths in mountain streams, pressed-flower lamp-making

Indoor activities began in March at 76 community centers, including Saha-gu’s Peace Senior Community Center.

These activities, such as carbon-neutrality education, OX quizzes, and bear-shaped topiary workshops, help seniors recognize the importance of carbon neutrality while promoting physical and emotional vitality.

Outdoor activities will start on April 3, spanning 28 sessions at Sinbulsan Falls National Forest Recreation Center in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. Seniors will participate in forest walks, pressed-flower lamp-making workshops, foot baths in mountain streams, and forest interpretation sessions, gaining firsthand experience of the importance of forests in carbon neutrality.

A participant from the indoor activities held last March commented, "It was a pleasant leisure activity that made me realize the importance of carbon neutrality and encouraged me to practice it."

Jeong Tae-gi, Director General of the Social Welfare Bureau of Busan City, stated,

"We hope the Carbon-Neutral Forest Healing Program contributes significantly to revitalizing senior community centers and spreading a culture of carbon neutrality. We will continue to strive to transform senior centers into vibrant spaces that offer diverse leisure and cultural activities."