Regenerating 100-Hectare Forest in Mt. Fuji

As one of the famous icons of Japan, Mt. Fuji is usually visited by 200,000 to 300,000 people annually. In 2021, approximately 79,000 people paid a visit with the purpose of hiking. This year, we are expecting more people, even under corona.

Compared last year, on the ground, we were able to frequently conduct more activities this year. This includes mobilizing volunteers to help in the site maintenance, particularly in re-raising the fallen planted trees and re-installing of the individual nets to protect growing trees from deer damage. The actual volunteering work is mostly done in pairs, and in average, it takes at least 15 minutesper fallen tree to be re-raise and re-installed with nets.

From the month of April through June, a total of 137 volunteers worked with us, together with the local sub-contracted forest workers. Within the span of 3 months, we were able to replace the damaged nets, and saved the 520 growing trees from possible deer attack.

Moreover, the donations of GlobalGiving supporters enabled us to hire more local forest workers. It made a huge impact in net-maintenance work, which was delayed due to corona pandemic.

 One of the first-time volunteers commented of how she had a very meaningful experience spending her time volunteering in one of Japan`s world heritage sites, with a close-up view of the majestic mountain, under a wonderful weather.

We are expecting that our site will become more active this year, especially at this time of year when wild birds are in their breeding season and actively moving around. This is also the busiest time of the year for our project sites, when many people gather to volunteer.

Sixteen years have passed since we started our project. The forest that we have painstakingly rehabilitated together with thousands of volunteers, is now growing steadily in the harsh environment, and becoming a home for a variety of life. We are committed to continue doing our activities hoping that 100 years from now, the forest could nurture an abundance of life, and become a forest where people can harmoniously coexist.

 We thank you for your continued support.