Expanding native plant restoration efforts in Gwanaksan Mountain

On August 30, 2024, nine Seoul-based Microsoft employees gathered in the summer heat to continue work on a native plant restoration project in Gwanaksan Mountain, a popular park and public recreation area near Seoul. The event marked the second phase of an effort begun in early 2024 to eradicate the invasive, non-native plant Ageratina (A.) altissima, which has spread in the park and prevents natural biodiversity.

Promoting biodiversity by inhibiting invasive plant growth

At the first volunteer event in June, the team of Microsoft employees focused on removing A. altissima and sowing seeds of more than 20 native plant species. This time, the biodiversity conservation effort involved spreading sawdust to block nutrients in the habitat of A. altissima. Each volunteer carried two 3-kg bags of sawdust and a shovel up the mountain, spread the sawdust, and then covered it with surrounding soil to prevent it from blowing away. The goal is to prevent the invasive plant from reestablishing itself, while supporting the growth of native plants. The project team will collect data to monitor the recovery of native flora, both in this area and surrounding ecosystems. Microsoft is conducting these volunteer-led restoration efforts in partnership with the Society of Ecological Restoration.