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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

Yokohama Woodland Research Institute NORA

Learning forest building leadership skills (management plan creation) - creating a guidebook and training courses to cultivate coordinators for citizen-driven forest creation management plans

Activity grant

Project Description

Residents of Yokohama are currently showing a great deal of interest in forest-related volunteer activities, but having a growing number of volunteers with diverse individual values can create various issues. One of the main problem factors is a failure by landowners or organizations carrying out activities to create a consensus-based plan. This project uses experts from various fields as intstructors to train co-ordinators in skills such as assessing the current situation of a forest, conceptualizing, and planning. The materials created for this training will also be used to make a guidebook.

Fields
Preservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2007 Activity Grants
Grant term
2 years
April 2008 - March 2010
Grant amount
3,100,000 yen
Activity region
Shimokawaicho, Asahi Ward, Yokohama, Japan
Observing animals found in forest soil

Overview of the Organization

Masaharu Matsumura, Director
Representative
Masaharu Matsumura, Director
Established
2000
Establishment purpose
It requires knowledge and skill for people and nature to be able to coexist in the woodlands surrounding inhabited areas. To create a sustainable society, regional communities need to use resources and the environment appropriately, and use the functions and benefits of the forest to rejuvenate their community and culture. NORA aims to advance this process to conserve local woodlands, and create connections between people and other people, and people and the environment, by bringing these people back to nature.
Main area of activity
Yokohama
Staff
2 part-time staff members, 15 full members
Annual operating budget
25.21 million yen in 2005, 15.34 million yen in 2006, 6.93 million yen in 2007
WEB site
http://nora-yokohama.org/
Recent activities
  • (1) Conducting research and making proposals regarding the proper use of local greenery: managing Kawai Green Garden in Shukucho, Yokohama (conservation area, not open to the public), as well as training local volunteers to become familiar with forests.
  • (2) Engaging in agriculture in order to create a flow of people and goods between urban and green areas: operating a local produce project where non-farmers get involved in selling vegetables grown in Kanagawa Prefecture, and holding study tours of farms. NORA vegetable markets are held every Tuesday.
  • (3) Rebuilding local communities that use woodland environments: supporting the creation of resident groups involved in local greenery, and developing the Hamadora project to bring the woodlands into urban areas.