At the "Ishikari River Summit", made up of mayors from the 48 towns and villages of the Ishikari River Basin, a proposal was made to plant one tree for each of the 30 million residents as part of the "Ishikari River Basin 30 million Tree Planting Scheme", and with the cooperation of municipalities and local residents, afforestation commenced from 1995. This initiative incorporates the "bio-block method," which is based on over 10 years of experience from this organization, and aims to more effectively implement the planting of 240 saplings in the basin every year. The bio block method consists of planting a sapling into a paper-based pot made of cardboard (a kaminekkon) and planting 6 pots of different tree species in one group in the soil of a tree nursery. There's no need to dig a hole in the ground using this method, and as this doesn't damage the roots, this planting can be carried out easily by anyone.