On 20 October 2026, AFoCO and Mapletree Korea Management, in cooperation with Suwon City, planted trees at Yeongheung Forest Park in Suwon, Republic of Korea. The activity marked another step in the ongoing partnership between AFoCO and Mapletree Korea Management to expand urban green spaces and contribute to carbon reduction in the Republic of Korea.
Tree Planting at Yeongheung Forest Park
Supported by Mapletree Korea Management, the activity focuses on planting tree species selected for their carbon sequestration potential, alongside shrubs, along the upper section of Yeongheung Forest Park’s ecological bridge. Representatives from AFoCO, Mapletree Korea Management, Suwon City, and local volunteers took part in the planting activity.
Enhancing Ecological Connectivity
Yeongheung Forest Park’s ecological bridge was developed to reconnect green spaces separated by roads and preserve ecological connectivity within the urban landscape. The tree planting activity will expand vegetation around the bridge and strengthen the surrounding green corridor. The addition of diverse tree species will support biodiversity, provide habitats for wildlife, and increase the area’s capacity to absorb carbon. These efforts will help improve the ecological value of the park and contribute to a greener urban environment.
The park’s ecological bridge also plays an important role in preserving the area’s natural landscape. Built as part of the road infrastructure, the bridge connects green areas that would otherwise be separated by the road and helps maintain the continuity of the ecological corridor. The tree-planting activities at the site will further strengthen vegetation along the bridge and contribute to carbon reduction.
Continuing the Partnership
AFoCO and Mapletree Korea Management began the collaboration on tree planting activities in the Republic of Korea in 2024 at Mullae Park in Seoul. The partnership continued in 2025 with activities at Boramae Park and the Korea National Arboretum. In 2026, AFoCO and Mapletree Korea Management continued the collaboration at Yeongheung Forest Park in cooperation with Suwon City.
AFoCO continues to promote private sector engagement in the Republic of Korea through collaborative tree planting activities and broader cooperation platform, including the Friends of Asia and Asian Forests (FAAF) and the Climate Action Matching Platform (CAMP). The efforts contribute to AFoCO’s broader mandate to foster partnerships with the private sector in support of sustainable forest management and climate action across Asia.
Contributed by Ms. Young Kim (Officer)