Workshop
Under the Sign of the Crane
Mr Spike Millington (Vice-president international, ICF) and Mr Lee, Hyun-Jong (Mayor of Cheorwon County)
HSS
Cheorwon basin is the most important crane sites on Korean peninsula visiting 7 species of cranes. It needs systematic preparation to conserve the crane sites of Cheorwon after the re-unification and further Inter-Korean Cooperation. Cheorwon county also has plan to build International Crane Center in 2019 and hoping that long-term projects are established with ICF for co-living between cranes and local people. To prepare the sustainable habitat conservation plan for the cranes 2018 International Crane Workshop were held in Cheorwon from 21 to 23 October 2018 hosted by International Crane Foundation (ICF) and Cheorwon County.
Prof Chong, Jong-Ryol (Korea university, Tokyo), Dr George Archibald (Co-founder of ICF), and Dr Han, Sanghoon
HSS
Dr George Archibald (Co-founder of ICF) gave opening remarks, Mr Lee, Hyun-Jong (Mayor of Cheorwon County) gave welcome remarks, and Mr Jin, Ik-Tae (Representative of Cheorwon Crane Committee) gave congratulatory address for the workshop. After the opening ceremony ICF and Cheorwon County signed the MOU for more cooperation.
The session 1 was focused on Crane conservation and habitat management. Dr Archibald did presentation about the Crane conservation activities by people. He shared his experience and emphasized the co-work with land owners to permanently protect the major wintering areas of cranes. After Dr Archibald's presentation Mr Jin introduce the efforts for crane conservation by local residents in Cheorwon and Mr Spike Millington (Vice-president international, ICF) shared his experience related to crane conservation and importance of Cherwon. He suggested top priorities for Conservation Action including international cooperation.
Searching for the Cranes
HSS
The session 2 was focused on cooperation programs for managing crane sites. Dr Yoo, Seong-Hee (National Institute of Ecology) introduced the habitat changes in Cherwon and the representative of Suncheon city shared the case of Crane conservation by supporting farmers in Suncheon. Dr Choi, Hyun-Ah (Hanns Seidel Foundaitn Korea) also attended the workshop as a speaker and shared the case of Carne protection and organic farming by supporting the farmers in Anbyon, DPRK. Dr Choi also mentioned the future cooperation in Korean Peninsula including wetland conservation capacity- building. Finally, Prof Chong, Jong-Ryol (Korea university, Tokyo) introduce the restoration efforts of Crane habitats in Anbyon, DPRK included current survey result in Anbyon.
Birdwatching in the Rain
HSS
The next day the participants did a survey (birding) near DMZ area and discussed the cooperation strategy for Crane conservation and plans for future steps.
The participants agreed that it should do more activities with central and local government, local community, and young generation for Crane conservation. The Cheorwon county will organize the meeting with stakeholders for Crane Conservation Action.