“Another important reason that Koreans protect their national parks” Healing in National Parks

Korea National Park Service
Publicado: 12 Abril 2023
Última edición: 12 Abril 2023
remove_red_eye 738 Vistas

Summary

Utilizing the diverse elements of nature in the national parks, KNPS has run programs for 8000 adults in its ecological parks to improve their mental and physical health. 

 

The program was developed with the participation of experts such as university professors and field psychologists. Currently,  40 programs have been running in 8 ecological parks.

 

Trekking islands by riding a yacht, mountain trekking, Nordic walking, yoga in the forest, brunch in nature, nature meditation, and handicraft experiences are examples of some of the programs offered as part of the mountain- or ocean-based healing programs which take advantage of the national parks’ characteristics. Converged programs connecting with temple stays and other aspects of the national park are offered as well.

 

A total of 72 employees who majored in environmental education, landscape architecture, forest resources and education, as well as guides who have qualifications in eco interpreting or forest healing are operating the program.

Clasificaciones

Region
Asia del Este
Scale of implementation
Nacional
Ecosystem
Bosques siempreverde templado
Ecosistemas forestales
Theme
Actores locales
Comunicación y divulgación
Gestión y planificación de áreas protegidas y conservadas
One Health
Poblaciones indígenas
Salud y bienestar humano
One Health
El vínculo entre biodiversidad y salud
Challenges
Falta de acceso a financiación a largo plazo
Falta de conciencia del público y de los responsables de la toma de decisiones
Deficiente gobernanza y participación
Sustainable development goals
ODS 3 - Salud y bienestar
ODS 4 - Educación de calidad
ODS 17 - Alianzas para lograr los objetivos
Aichi targets
Meta 1: Aumento de la sensibilization sobre la biodiversidad
Meta 11: Áreas protegidas y conservadas
Meta 19: Intercambio de información y conocimiento

Ubicación

Bukhansan National Park, 성북구 보국문로 262, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul 01002, South Korea
Jirisan National Park, 마천면 삼정리, Hamyang-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do 50057, South Korea
Seoraksan National Park, 설악동, Sokcho-si, Gangwon-do 24903, South Korea
Sobaeksan, 인동22길 24, Gumi-si, Gyeongsangbuk-do 39407, South Korea
Hallyeohaesang National Park, Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do 53329, South Korea
Mudeungsan, 동구 동산길 29, Dong-gu, Gwangju 61493, South Korea
Naejangsan National Park, 내장산로 936 (내장동), Jeongeup-si, Jeollabuk-do 56199, South Korea

Impacts

At Chungnam National University, a national university of Korea, the Korea National Park Research Institute scientifically evaluated the psychological and physiological impacts that the 2022 National Park Healing Program had on the firefighters who participated in the program.

 

 ○ For the psychological impact evaluation, the Korea Positive and Negative Affect Schedule: The PANAS Scales, the Korean Warwick-Edinburgh mental well-being scale (WEMWBS) and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) were used to measure psychological changes before and after participation in the program.

 

 ○ For the physiological impacts, changes in the autonomic nervous system action before and after participation in the program was measured by utilizing blood and pressure and heart rate variability(HRV).

 

  ○ The program was shown to increase positive emotions and perceived restorative environments and reduce systolic blood pressure and pulse pressure.

Contribuido por

Imagen de knpsoia_37862

Korea National Park Service - KNPS Korea National Park Service