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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

Iwate Reforestation Study Group

Training 200 people to be forestry workers

Activity grant

Project Description

Many forestry areas affected by the tsunami remain untouched. Iwate Prefecture is one of the prefectures in Honshu that has a forested areas, but there are very few people here who can use chainsaws and other forestry tools. Even if the forest areas affected by the tsunami are restored, and even if the devastated man-made forests are regenerated, people are needed who can carry out forestry work safely and properly. At present, there are no places that can teach forest owners or ordinary citizens. This project will establish a venue for training people in the techniques of forest recovery and regeneration, and, over a period of 3 years train 200 people to do forestry work.

Fields
Preservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2012 Activity Grants
Grant term
3 years
October 2012 - September 2015
Grant amount
4,950,000 yen
Activity region
Morioka City, Kuji City, Ofunato City, Otsuchi-chou, Iwate Prefecture, Japan
Coastal logging safety training course

Overview of the Organization

Fumio Saitoh, Director
Representative
Fumio Saitoh, Director
Establishment year
2003
Establishment Purpose
Carry out volunteer activities to regenerate and protect forest that has been devastated. Specifically, the project will center on the thinning (care) of 30- to 50-year-old cedar forests that were the worst devastated in the region. To make this activity effective, we will reach for groups who have knowledge of forest creation and safe and proper work methods.
Main regions of project activity
Morioka City, Hachimantai City, Iwate-gun, Shiwa-gun
Staff
2 full-time members, 12 part-time members, 133 full members
Annual operating budget
2.02 million yen in 2009, 4.27 million yen in 2010, 5.13 million yen in 2011
WEB site
http://www.eins.rnac.ne.jp/~issk/
Affiliated organizations
Kokuji Makino Kumiai (Kuji City), Matsusaki Ai Hayashi Koueki-kai (Ofunato City), NPO Kirikirikoku (Ootuchi-chou)
Man activities
  • (1) Training of personnel who have knowledge and skills for creating forests: Setting up a "Forest Volunteer Course" and training people in forestry work skills.
  • (2) Use of timber from forest thinning: Turning the timber from forest thinning into a resource. Producing firewood, charcoal, lumber and cultivating mushrooms can all contribute to a reduction in CO2.
  • (3) Sending instructors to sites: Instructors are sent to instruct at various local training courses. This work is widening the ring of forest regeneration.
  • (4) Disaster recovery support: Holding courses to train people how to safely manage their forests in devastated areas, supplying timber from forest thinning, and other support than uses expertise.