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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

Midori no Kaze

Implementing and promoting barrier-free conservation activities for the forest and woodlands of Oigamori, southern Yatsugatake, based on new development programs

Activity grant

Project Description

Midori no Kaze carries out practical agriculture and forestry training and conservation activities to provide employment assistance for people with intellectual disabilities in the southern area of Yatsugatake, Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, but limitations in terms of finance and manpower make it difficult to expand the areas covered and maintain operations. This project aims to realize sustainable, barrier-free conservation activities in which anyone can participate, including the elderly and people with disabilities, and in order to strengthen the organization's base, it will conduct the following activities. Collaborate with Shinshu University to develop a new program modelled on succesful eco-tourism cases in the UK, and assess and analyze the effects of conservation activities in terms of conservation, education, and relaxation. The results for each item will be added to a database and used to compile a manual that can also be applied to surrounding regions.

Fields
Preservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2008 Activity Grants
Grant term
3 years
April 2009 - March 2012
Grant amount
12,000,000 yen
Activity region
Southern Yatsugatake, Hokuto, Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan
A forest where visibility has been improved by trimming undergrowth

Overview of the Organization

Kazuhisa Takeda, Director
Representative
Kazuhisa Takeda, Director
Establishment
2003
Establishment purpose
The Midori no Kaze House was established in 1998 to promote agriculture, primarily the cultivation of flower seedlings, as part of a Yatsugatake flower and greening project. When Midori no Kaze was established as a National Welfare Corporation in 2003, a new central activity was added which was to promote welfare activities that 'support people with disabilities through agricultural initiatives'. A third goal of regional conservation was also added later.
Main areas of activity
The Nagasaka Center mainly operates in Nagasaka Oigamori, Hokuto, but has also expanded its conservation activities to two leased forest areas off-premises, and also provides landscaping activities for the premises of companies located in Nagasaka. The Chiyoda Center operates on the third floor (disability employment support facility) and first floor (Sakura Bakery and Bread Studio) of the Chiyoda Ward Office.
Staff
24 full-time staff members, 36 part-time staff members
Annual operating budget
93 million yen in 2006, 218 million yen in 2007, 240 million yen in 2008
WEB site
https://www.facebook.com/NPO-Omotehama-network-158362494231513/
Recent activities
Activities take place at two locations, the Nagasaka Center and the Chiyoda Center. The Nagasaka Center provides disability employment support activities including agricultural production, pot plant cultivation, landscaping, bread and sweet making, and has also started a new assisted-living service initiative. After obtaining a support grant from the Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund, it has also started operating barrier-free conservation activities for forest and woodlands which are based on new development programs, including parcipitory activities for people with disabilities, and led by Shinshu University. The Chiyoda Center is the designated manager of Chiyoda Ward's disability employment support facility and also operates the Sakura Bakery and Bread Studio where people with disabilities can bake and sell bread.