Since it started as the Forestry Experiment Station on February 23, 1949, the National Institute of Forest Science has steadily conducted various researches on forest, forestry and wood industry as the sole national research institute under the Korea Forest Service, with an objective to develop and disseminate forest science and technology for people’s wellbeing, healthy environment and global forestation, leading the green growth.
As of February 2023, NIFoS consists of 4 departments, 16 divisions, 1 center and 4 research centers. Among the 4 departments, three departments are located in Hongneung, Seoul, the historical site where the loyal tomb of the Empress Myeong-Seong (1851-1895), the first official wife of the Emperor Gojong (1852-1919), the twenty-sixth king of the Joseon dynasty of Korea, had been until 1919, while the other is located in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province near Seoul. Besides, the four research centers of NIFoS are located throughout the nation, in Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province (Forest Technology and Management Research Center), Jinju, Gyeongnam Province (Forest Biomaterials Research Center), and Seoguipo, Jeju island (Warm-temperate and Subtropical Forest Research Center), Yeongju, Gyeongsangbuk Province (Forest Medicinal Resources Research Center), respectively. Each department and center operate a total of five experimental forests and tree nurseries to demonstrate and experiment with the developed forest science and technologies in the field.
As the National Institute of Forest Science to leads research and development of the forest science field, the National Institute of Forest Science has set and implemented R&D strategies well-reflecting not only the global research trend, but also the public’s demand for research, the national science and technologies map, and the forest science and technology master plan. In other words, researches conducted at NIFoS have focused on as follows: 1) conserving the global environment against the climate change and desertification, and for biodiversity conservation, 2) improving the customer-tailored forest welfare services including forest therapy and recreation, 3) securing national safety from the forest disaster including forest fire and landslide, and 4) advancing high-tech convergence researches including IT, NT and BT. 5) establishing digital foret management systems and the ICT convergence on on-site inventory data and spatial information. Also, NIFoS pursues researches to contribute to the promotion of forest resources, enhancement of both forest owners and those who are engaged in forestry, and development of the forest industry and local community through the utilization of high added value forest products.
Investment in science and technology is the fundamental foundation for human development and prosperity. Developing and advancing forest science, as it is a future-oriented study to guarantee a high quality of life and to meet the ecological requirements, is like preparing heritage for the next generation. Setting the phrase “We envision improving the world with forests, science and technology” in commemoration of its long history in the 100th anniversary of forest science research in Korea.