Management and funding
Management organization:
Changwon-city (si), Gyeongsangnam-province (do), Republic of Korea
Goals of the organization:
- To understand the importance of ecological environment
- To meet the needs of urban life by providing environmentally friendly space
- To appreciate the importance of nature's ecosystem by providing an opportunity to experience the nature in the raw
- To improve the living standard of citizens by creating an ecological experience spot
- To promote the image of Changwon-city (si), as a model of eco-city by building a network with neighbor tourist attractions
What we do
Running ecological learning programs including guiding (guide), education and volunteering for the visitors, neighbors and a touristinformation office
Budget
150,000,000 won(equivalent to some US$ 160,000 as of Aug. 2008)
Founded/opened
Established by Changwon-city (si) in July, 2004
Description
The building of an embankment around the reservoir, Junam Reservoir, where Eco-learning Center located, resulted in the creation of an inland wetland along the course of Nakdong river. Besides providing agricultural water and controlling flood, it has known to the general public as a habitat for various migratory birds since the 1980s. Now Junam Reservoir has become the largest and most valuable place for birds in Korea .
A large number of water birds, like white-napped crane, spend the winter at Junam Reservoir while other birds, like white heron, come to Junam Reservoir for breeding and feeding in the summer. Junam Reservoir fulfils Criterion 5 of the Ramsar wetlands (A wetland should be considered internationally important if it regularly supports 20,000 or more water birds). Especially, it is an important wetland both internationally and domestically for crane species' stopover and white-napped cranes' passing the winter.
In addition, it is a distinguished tourist site where visitors can directly enjoy the wonder of nature, and the annual visitors reach 70,000.
Key species/features
About 230 species of birds have been observed at Junam Reservoir, including 24 species of natural monuments designated by the Properties Administration and 7 and 25 species of animal and plant on the first and second-classes of the endangered species list by the Ministry of Environment. Among these species, 12 species are also on the red list of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
Annually, 10,000 - 40,000 spectacled teals and more than 30,000 wild geese are observed in Junam reservoir. In addition, there are mallards, pintails, buffle heads, spoonbills, black-faced spoobills, white-tailed eagles, falcons, kestrels, sparrow hawks, the Korean buzzards and falcated teals observed
Facilities
A single story building with 328m2 area and the exterior of a shape of flying bird
| Facilities | Subsidiary facilities | Uses |
| Atrium lobby | Info. desk and rest facilities | ▪ Guide service for visitors and providing a rest space |
| Exhibition room | Exhibition & A/V facilities | ▪ Exhibition of stuffed Specimens of birds, insects and plants ▪ Playing video clips of the birth of birds, principle of bird's flying and ecology |
| Agricultural products store | Rest space | ▪ Sales of a agricultural products of Changwon area |
| Learning room | Education facilities | ▪ Holding eco conferences and learning events |
| Observatory | Bird observing facilities | ▪ Providing convenient facilities for bird observation |
| Lotus garden | Observing facilities | ▪ Learning facilities for wetland plants |
General
1) To Become a Leading Eco-learning Center
- Creating an environmental experience program with theme of each season (according to changing season)
- Developing an ecosystem program
- Providing a first-hand experience program
2) Academic Research of Junam Reservoir
- Securing environment specialist groups by building related networks
- Carrying out the continuous research with environment divisions of Changwon-city (si)
- Organizing a technical advisory committee for the pending works
- Establishing a marketing strategy for info rming natural assets of Dong-eup, Changwon-city (si)
3) Diversification of Roles of Visitors' Center by Training Eco-guiders
- Field guide for the visitors by volunteers of the Ecological Center (year-round)
- materials (year-round)
- Developing teaching materials of eco-learning
- Ecology researches and sample surveys(year-round)
- The center facility and book management with volunteers
- Organizing a study group to expand ecological infrastructure
Professional
Goals
- To appreciate the importance of wetlands, natural environment and life through various ecology experience and learning programs of Junam Reservoir Eco-learning Center .
- To contribute to the local economic growth by inducing more tourists
Public Relations and Evaluation
- Utilizing online media, local mass media and official info rmation board of Changwon-si
- Operating a group of evaluation and surveying
Education Programs
- Training local residents as a tour guide
- Enhancing the local residents' understanding of ecology and importance of Junam Reservoir through first-hand education
- Operating migratory birds' observation class in winter
- Promoting the understanding of importance of nature and environment through direct and actual experiences
- Wetland ecology class
- Theoretical education on Junam Reservoir and its wetland
- Developing daily programs
Seasonal Events
- Migratory birds photo exhibition of professionals and amateurs (March to April)
- Hydrophyte and water beetle exhibition (July to August)
Cooperation with Expert Groups
- All programs will be operated in cooperation with experts of environment NGOs and local universities. Also, an advisory committee will be organized.
Operation
Four operation plans:
Partnership
- Keeping a close relationship with visitors and local residents
- Inducing volunteers as many as possible
- Inducing private organizations' cooperation for developing programs and expanding exhibits
- Providing local residents with economic benefits through running an agricultural products store
Vividness
- Securing new exhibits
- Revitalizing exhibition, experience class and education program
Impression
- Maintaining the consistency of theme
- Providing the visitors with the wonder of nature through migratory birds
- Planning quarterly exhibition and event
Close relationship with local residents
- Introducing principal products through running an agricultural products store
- Inducing more tourists as an ecology tourism site
- Providing local residents with a cultural event space
Staffing
Three staff work in management, guidance and sanitation divisions of the Center.
Contacts
Contact: Mr. Kim, teajwa
E-mail address: rutila@changwon.go.kr
Address: 306-16 Woljamri, Dongeup,
Changwon-city (si), Gyeongsangnam-province
(do), South Korea
Telephone No. : +82-55-212-2792, +82-55-296-5059
Fax No. : +82-55-296-5059
Homepage: http://junam.changwon.go.kr