Regenerating 100-Hectare Forest in Mt. Fuji

Hello to all GlobalGiving supporters.
Thank you for your continued support of the Mt. Fuji Reforestation Project.

We would like to introduce our volunteer activities conducted on July 6.
OISCA organized an event for maintaining Mt. Fuji reforestation site in cooperation with other stakeholders of the Mt Fuji Reforestation Project Council comprising some 30 different organizations: private corporations, labor unions, local government bodies, and research institute. 

The event was actively participated by a total of 170 people, including Tokyo-based foreign diplomats (Mexico, Myanmar, and Thailand), OISCA members from Branches of Aichi, Fukushima, the Metropolitan areas, Nagano, Shizuoka, and Yamanashi, foreign trainees from OISCA Chubu and Shikoku Training Centers, staff of private companies supporting the project, Yamanashi Prefectural government officials and professional forestry workers. 

  
Before starting actual work, the participants were given guidance by professional forest workers on how to remove the old bamboo poles and protecting nets and install new ones.

All the participants, including small children, worked up a sweat using saws, hammers, and other tools to perform unaccustomed field work. 
On this day, we were able to replace the nets on 350 saplings in 1.02 hectares.

 
In the closing ceremony, His Excellency Mr. WitchuVejjajiva, Ambassador of Thailand, made brief remarks. On behalf of the diplomatic corps, he expressed gratitude to OISCA and all the other stakeholders for the invitation to take part in the prestigious event so well organized. He said, “Having actually participated in the field work, I fully realized how painstaking it is to promote reforestation, and I am proud to perform a modest part in the project”.

We will continue our work to create a diverse forest with the participation and support of a diverse group of people.

We appreciate your continued support!

Hello dear supporters of GlobalGiving ! Thank you for your continued support of our activities.

   In Yamanashi Prefecture, where the project is being implemented, after a long winter and a beautiful time of cherry blossoms, we are now in the season of beautiful fresh greenery.

   Every year during the winter months, activities are suspended due to the closure of the roads used for the project, but the time has come to resume activities again this year. At the end of April, prior to the full-scale start of activities, OISCA staff and local forestry companies conducted a preliminary inspection of the site.

   The weather was great that day, and Mt. Fuji looked really beautiful. We were lucky on this day because some days the weather is so bad that you can't see the view. One of the reasons we recommend that the view of Mt. Fuji during this season is especially splendid is that you can see Mt. Fuji along with the mountain cherry trees in bloom. This year, the mountain cherry trees planted by volunteers in the project were especially spectacular with their beautiful blossoms! Trees planted by volunteers grow and blossom. We believe that this cumulative process will lead to our goal of restoring mixed forests of coniferous and broad-leaved trees on Mt. Fuji. This is the sight that we would like everyone who supports our project through GlobalGiving to see.

   This year's volunteer activities will also focus on repairing the protective nets that have been planted to protect the trees from deer. During the preliminary survey, we visited the site and identified ways to safely and smoothly repair more protective nets and develop a plan for the safe operation of buses to take volunteers to the site. One of the issues we addressed was the location of temporary toilets! Usually there are no restrooms in the area because it is an inaccessible place. We need to have a contractor install them on the day of the activity.

   In addition to these specific confirmation items, it is also important to look at the various faces of Mt. Fuji, which can only be seen at this time of year, to visualize what the forest will look like in the future, and to confirm the direction of the project. Mountain bounty such as wild vegetables, budding trees, various mushrooms, and birds chirping can be seen and heard.

Animal feces and other evidence of lively activity could be seen, and it was clear that the forest is recovering its diversity.

   We would like to report to our supporters through GlobalGiving not only on our activities, but also on the seasonal changes of Mt. Fuji's value as a World Heritage site. Please do continue to support this activity to further protect and enhance the biodiversity of Mt. Fuji.