In collaboration with the Gyeonggi-provincial government and the Korean National Institute of Forest Science, ESP Asia Regional Office started local community trainings to increase awareness on benefits of ecosystem services in civilian control zones of DMZ areas in Korea and to identify perceived values of natural capitals among local residents; these activities are also “symbolic” in the sense to promote additional benefits of “Nature for Peace” in transboundary areas. Series of local interviews and meetings are scheduled throughout the year 2017 to conduct preliminary assessment of cultural services. Researchers on cultural ecosystem services are welcome to exchange experiences and to compile cases for future cooperation.
The Asia Forum on Connecting Science and Policy to Promote Ecosystem Services will be held during the 9th ESP Conference in China. This session is designed to share lessons learned in ES policy practices in Asia and will provide the basis of ES policy database by 2018. Policy officers’ and practitioners’ presentations are welcome for constructive discussions and interested participant will get more info at the conference sessions page and/or contact at [email protected] for inquires.