The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund
Introduction to Grant Projects
GreenWood Nature Experience Education Centre
An eco-project visualizing the educational capabilities contributing to environmental preservation inherent to living in remote mountain villages
Activity grant
- Project Description
Recently, the values and education inherent in farming and mountain villages with recycling-based societies are being reviewed, however very few educational programs are reflecting these changes in society and in school education - western programs, on the other hand, are at their best. This organization was established 15 years ago to provide educational programs reflecting the educational capabilities inherent to rural villages in collaboration with local residents, schools, administration and agriculture and forestry industries in Yasuoka, Nagano Prefecture. Our activities clarify the educational capabilities contributing to environmental preservation and develop and expand educational programs related to this message as well as establishing investigative committees composed of various entities from the region and surveying the people of Yasuoka regarding this inherent educational capability. In addition, we will conduct surveys in similar regions across the country in order to compare data and work towards defining educational capability.
- Fields
- Climate changeMarine resources/foodPreservation of surface soil and forestsEnergy problem
- Grant year
- FY2009 Activity Grants
- Grant term
- 1 year
April 2010 - March 2011
- Grant amount
- 2,900,000 yen
- Activity region
- Yasuoka, Shimoina, Nagano Prefecture, Japan

Overview of the Organization

- Representative
- Hideyuki Tsuji, President
- Establishment
- 1993
- Establishment purpose
- This organization was established as an NPO under the authority of the Cabinet Office with the aim to expand and develop nature experience education activities, promote these activities to make use of the rich environment in Japan, as well to nurture youth and contribute to creating an affluent, leisurely lifestyle. In particular, we are implementing a variety of nature education programs in the forests and rivers to support the next generation and foster an enriched mind and a strength to live.
- Main areas of activity
- Yasuoka, Shimoina, Nagano Prefecture
- Staff
- 14 full-time staff members, 1 part-time staff member, 300 full members
- Annual operating budget
- 84.41 million yen in 2007, 107.15 million yen in 2008, 105.29 million yen in 2009
- WEB site
- http://www.greenwood.or.jp
- Key activities
-
- (1) 20 children gathered from across the country to spend 1 year together in a long-term study away program in a mountain village, "Living School Daidara-bochi"
- (2) In the Summer and Winter vacation period, 1,500 children from across the nation gather at nature experience education camp; Sanzoku Camp in Shinshu
- (3) "Inadani anjane nature school" a place where local children can learn about the region's history, culture and nature
- (4) "Teacher training project" training youth leaders who will carry on education of the next generation
- (5) Research survey, response advisory business