Forest Environment Systems Department, Class of 2025, Yuna Choi, and Class of 2022, Yisu Jin (from left to right)

The team “In Search of the Scent of the Forest” (Jin Eui-soo and Choi Yoo-na), composed of undergraduate students from the Department of Forest and Environmental Systems at Kookmin University, has been selected as the final recipient of the “Citizen Science Seed 4th Edition” research support program hosted by the Forest and Sharing Foundation and Dong-A Science. Citizen Science Seed is a research project support program that brings together researchers in the fields of environment, safety, and health with citizen scientists organized in family units to collaborate on research and achieve results. The selected teams will receive up to 3 million won in funding from April to November this year to carry out their projects, with members of Dong-A Science's “Earth Love Exploration Team” participating as citizen scientists.

The “In Search of the Smell of Stink Bugs” team announced that it aims to create a special stink bug guidebook by working with citizen scientists to collect data on the life cycle and smell of stink bugs and conduct in-depth research. In particular, through field exploration with family members of the Earth Love Exploration Team, they plan to dispel interesting misconceptions about stink bugs and allow participants to experience hidden truths firsthand. Many people believe that stink bugs always emit a strong odor, but in reality, this is not the case. Additionally, the team will provide vivid exploration opportunities for participants to see and feel with their own eyes and bodies how the appearance of young larvae and fully grown adults differs remarkably.

The 'In Search of the Nolinja' team stated that they will continue their exploration and documentation activities through consistent collaboration with citizen scientists. Based on these efforts, they expressed their commitment to creating a comprehensive Nolinja field guide that combines professional information with citizen participation, contributing to Nolinja research and ecological education.