Seoul to launch 24-hour biodiversity exploration on Mount Acha

Seoul's government plans to launch a 24-hour biodiversity exploration event named BioBlitz Seoul 2026 at Mount Acha in eastern Seoul's Gwangjin District on September 12-13. The city announced this on Thursday, inviting both citizens and experts to participate in the expedition to discover, observe, and document local wildlife species across the mountain.

Mount Acha, situated on the eastern outskirts of the capital city, borders Guri in Gyeonggi Province. As a crucial ecological link between Seoul's urban core and the green belts in eastern Seoul, its preservation is vital for sustaining the city's biodiversity and wildlife corridors.

Unlike the single-day format of last year's event, this year's BioBlitz Seoul 2026 will follow a two-day, 24-hour structure. This extended duration will allow for more intensive ecological exploration through specialized activities such as night insect tracking and early-morning bird watching.

The mountain is characterized by its diverse habitats, including forests, streams, wetlands, and grasslands, providing ample space for urban wildlife to thrive. Since its inception in 2015, BioBlitz Seoul has operated from the Achasan Ecological Park base camp. The program comprises three core components: an offline exploration division, expert dialogue sessions, and public engagement activities.