Regenerating 100-Hectare Forest in Mt. Fuji

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.