In the quiet hills of South Korea’s Ulsan Province, where the scars of wildfires still linger like ghostly shadows, a groundbreaking initiative is rewriting the narrative of ecological recovery. The Ulsan Forest Fire Recovery Project, spearheaded by local conservationists and supported by the city’s municipal government, has launched a series of guided tours centered on an unconventional yet deeply therapeutic practice: tree-hugging. Dubbed “Tree Hugging Therapy” by organizers, this innovative approach invites residents and visitors alike to embrace charred trees—symbols of both destruction and resilience—as a way to process grief and reconnect with nature. The program, which has gained international attention for its fusion of environmental restoration and mental health support, reflects a growing global trend: using nature-based interventions to heal communities ravaged by climate disasters.
The concept is rooted in ecotherapy, a field gaining traction as scientists and psychologists increasingly recognize the restorative power of forests. According to a 2023 study published in Nature Human Behaviour, exposure to green spaces can reduce stress hormones by up to 30% within 30 minutes—a finding that aligns with the philosophy behind the Ulsan project. “When you wrap your arms around a tree that has survived a fire, you’re not just touching wood,” explains Dr. Min-Jae Lee, a forestry therapist affiliated with Seoul National University’s Department of Environmental Psychology. “You’re holding onto a story of survival, of the land’s capacity to regenerate and your own.” The project’s name, 동네봄 (Dongne-bom), translates to “Neighborhood Spring,” encapsulating the hope of renewal amid devastation.
The initiative follows the catastrophic 2022 Ulsan Forest Fires, which burned over 10,000 hectares of forest and displaced thousands. While the immediate focus was on firefighting and rebuilding infrastructure, the long-term emotional toll on residents—particularly those who lost homes or livelihoods tied to the land—became evident in the months that followed. Local psychologists noted a surge in cases of solastalgia, a term coined to describe the distress caused by environmental change, particularly when it alters one’s sense of home. The tree-hugging tours emerged as a response to this unmet need, blending traditional Korean shamanistic healing practices with modern therapeutic techniques.
How the Tree-Hugging Tours Work
The tours, which began in March 2024, are designed as immersive, guided experiences led by certified forest therapists and former firefighters. Participants—ranging from trauma survivors to corporate teams seeking team-building exercises—follow a structured path through the fire-affected zones. The journey starts with a moment of silence near the Ulsan National Arboretum’s Burned Grove, where organizers share the history of the fires and the ecological role of controlled burns in forest regeneration. Guests are then encouraged to select a tree, often one marked by the distinctive “fire scars” left by the blaze, and spend 10–15 minutes embracing it while reflecting on their own experiences of loss and resilience.
Dr. Lee emphasizes that the physical act of hugging a tree triggers a physiological response: “The slow, deep breathing required to steady yourself against the tree’s trunk activates the parasympathetic nervous system, counteracting the fight-or-flight stress response.” Participants are also guided to observe the new growth sprouting from the base of burned trees—a tangible reminder of nature’s ability to heal. “We don’t ask people to forget their grief,” says Park Soo-Jin, a tour guide and former firefighter. “But we do ask them to witness the forest’s story alongside their own.”
The Science Behind the Therapy
While the Ulsan project is the first of its kind in South Korea, it builds on decades of research into forest bathing (shinrin-yoku), a practice originating in Japan in the 1980s. Studies have linked forest therapy to improvements in immune function, blood pressure, and depression symptoms. A 2021 meta-analysis in Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine found that participants in forest therapy programs experienced a 23% reduction in cortisol levels after just two hours of immersion in wooded areas. The Ulsan project expands this framework by focusing specifically on post-disaster recovery, where the psychological benefits of nature are amplified by the shared trauma of the community.
Organizers have partnered with Korea University’s Graduate School of Environmental Studies to track the program’s impact. Preliminary data, shared with World Today Journal, suggests that 87% of participants reported feeling “more connected to their community” after a single session, while 62% noted a decrease in anxiety symptoms. “This isn’t just about hugging trees,” says Professor Kim Hyeon-Seok, who oversees the study. “It’s about rebuilding a relationship with the land that was broken by fire.” The project also includes follow-up sessions where participants plant saplings, fostering a sense of agency in the recovery process.
Broader Implications: Can Tree Hugging Heal Communities Worldwide?
The Ulsan model is already inspiring similar initiatives globally. In Australia, where the 2019–2020 bushfires devastated millions of hectares, the New South Wales National Parks Service launched “Healing Walks” that incorporate tree-touching exercises. Meanwhile, in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, communities recovering from the 2020 wildfires have adopted “Fire Scar Storytelling” workshops, where residents share their experiences while physically interacting with burned trees. “There’s a universal human need to touch and be touched by the natural world,” says Blake Ellis, a program manager for Chico State University’s Ecotherapy Program, who has consulted on the Ulsan project. “When that connection is severed by disaster, we need creative ways to restore it.”
Critics argue that such programs risk ecotourism exploitation, particularly in marginalized communities. To address this, the Ulsan project prioritizes local hiring and ensures 30% of tour proceeds fund wildfire prevention programs for at-risk neighborhoods. “This isn’t just therapy—it’s economic revitalization,” notes Mayor Lee Jung-Ho of Ulsan, who visited a tour site in May 2024. “By welcoming visitors, we’re not just healing individuals; we’re healing our economy.”
What’s Next for Ulsan’s Healing Forests
Looking ahead, organizers plan to expand the program with a mobile app featuring guided meditations, tree-mapping tools, and a platform for participants to share their stories. A pilot international volunteer program will bring therapists from Japan and the U.S. To Ulsan in autumn 2026 to co-design cross-cultural healing tours. “Our goal is to turn Ulsan into a global model for post-disaster recovery,” says Park Soo-Jin. “If a tree can survive fire, so can we.”
For those interested in participating or supporting the initiative, the Ulsan Metropolitan City offers English-language tour sign-ups through its official website. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance, as slots fill quickly—especially during the cherry blossom season (late March to early April), when the contrast between burned trunks and blooming branches creates a poignant backdrop for reflection.
Key Takeaways
- Tree Hugging Therapy combines ecotherapy with post-disaster recovery, offering a tangible way to process grief through physical connection with nature.
- The Ulsan project is the first in South Korea to integrate forest bathing with wildfire resilience efforts, backed by preliminary studies showing reduced stress and increased community cohesion.
- Participants embrace charred trees to symbolize shared trauma and collective healing, with follow-up sapling-planting sessions fostering long-term engagement.
- Global adaptations of the model are emerging in Australia and the U.S., though ethical concerns about ecotourism and local ownership remain central to its success.
- The initiative’s expansion includes a mobile app and international volunteer program, aiming to create a replicable framework for communities worldwide.
The next phase of the Ulsan Forest Fire Recovery Project will launch in September 2026, with the official unveiling of the Healing Forest Trail—a permanent 5-kilometer path featuring therapeutic stations, storytelling plaques, and restored wildlife habitats. Until then, tours will continue on a seasonal basis, with winter sessions focusing on snow-covered scars and spring tours highlighting new growth. For updates, follow Ulsan’s official tourism page or join the project’s Facebook community.
Have you experienced nature-based healing after a disaster? Share your stories in the comments—or tag @WorldTodayJrnl to suggest a follow-up feature on global recovery initiatives.