Main

The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

The Wild Bird Society of Japan

Publishing the IBA White Paper 2010, and distributing leaflets and holding symposiums to promote IBA

Activity grant

Project Description

Important Bird Areas (IBA) are conservation projects being carried out all over the world with the aim of securing biodiversity by using bird species as an indicator for the listing, publicising and reporting of important, high-priority natural habitats, getting them legally designated as protected areas, and preventing deterioration and extiction resulting from human development. Although awareness of IBAs in Japan is growing steadily, as of December 2006 the number of sites protected by law remained at just 43%, and there are some sites that are increasingly threatened by development. In light of this situation, the Wild Bird Society of Japan is researching and analysing the current status of Japanaese IBA sites in order to publish the IBA White Paper 2010, and is reporting on the issues faced by IBA as biodiversity hotspots by distributing pamphlets and holding symposiums. Through this activity it hopes to share the current situation and issues regarding IBA sites with government and regional supporters to prompt discussions over effective conservation measures.

Fields
Preservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2009 Activity Grants
Grant term
1 year
October 2009 - September 2010
Grant amount
4,527,400 yen
Activity region
All regions, Japan
Investigating the Japanese swamp warbler breeding situation in Hotokenuma, an IBA site in Aomori Prefecture

Overview of the Organization

Hiroshi Yagyu, Chairman
Representative
Hiroshi Yagyu, Chairman
Establishment
1970
Establishment purpose
The group was established to cultivate a respect for nature in people and contribute to the development of a humane society by creating opportunities to enjoy wild birds in their natural habitats, spreading scientific knowledge about these birds, and promoting practical conservationist ideals.
Main areas of activity
Japan, East Asia
Staff
63 full-time staff members
Annual operating income
1.183 billion yen in 2006, 960.37 million yen in 2007, 891.98 million yen in 2008
WEB site
http://www.wbsj.org/
Recent activities
  • (1) Conservation activity
    · Protecting Japanese cranes and Blakiston's fish owls by forming agreements and acquiring habitats
    · Protecting Japanese murrelets and conserving marine ecosystems
    · IBA conservation activity
    · Measures to prevent wild birds colliding with wind power generation turbines
    · Protecting eastern marsh harriers and wetland conservation through research and analysis into eastern marsh harrier natural habitats
    · Monitoring of terrestrial bird species for the Ministry of the Environment and Monitoring Site 1000 program
    · Creating distribution models of white-naped and hooded crane wintering sites
    · Activities promoting anti-poaching measures to protect wild birds
  • (2) Promoting conservationist ideals
    · Raising-awareness through events, sanctuaries, websites, and free magazines
    · Awareness-raising activities aimed at children including the creation and distribution of written materials, and workshops at bird sanctuaries
    · Spreading scientific knowledge about bird species such as Blakiston's fish owl and the Japanese crane, leading to conservation activity
    · Publications such as A Field Guide to Birds of Japan