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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

N.P.O. Frontier Association

The Shimoutsu-Gaku Japanese Horse-Chestnut Project

Activity grant

Project Description

This project aims to collaborate with small local communities, NPOs, universities, and others to regenerate water source recharging forests in Shimoutsu, northwestern Kyoto, which have fallen into disrepair, by planting and nurturing Japanese horse-chestnut trees, and then gradually expanding planting areas. The production of specialty chestnut products will facilitate economic independence, and various types of undergrowth will be planted to conserve ecosystems and encourage the symbiosis of trees and animals. The current grant will cover years three through five of a fifteen year plan and will fund activities including clearing, planting, undergrowth trimming, and transplanting.

Fields
Climate changeMarine resources/foodPreservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2008 Activity Grants
Grant term
3 years
October 2008 - September 2011
Grant amount
4,107,000 yen
Activity region
Takatani and Shonotani, Keihoku Shimoutsu, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan
Planting Japanese horse-chestnuts

Overview of the Organization

Kunihiro Tokumaru, Chairman
Representative
Kunihiro Tokumaru, Chairman
Establishment
1983
Establishment purpose
N.P.O. Frontier Association was established to benefit as many people as possible, regardless of age, by cultivating youth and promoting health in adults and the elderly through outdoor activities, sports, environmental conservation, community building, and disaster support activities.
Main area of activity
Kyoto, Japan
Staff
36 full members
Annual operating budget
2.61 million yen in 2005, 970,000 yen in 2006, 1.76 million yen in 2007
WEB site
http://www.nethousing.co.jp
Recent activities
N.P.O. Frontier Association's activities cover a wide range of areas. It was established in 1983 by a group of motor sports enthusiasts. It leverages the various skills and professional expertise of its members to contribute to society.
  • (1) Disaster support: providing support to victims of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, the Nakhodka oil spill, the Niigata Earthquake, and flooding caused by Typhoon Tokage.
  • (2) Bamboo grove maintenance: the association has been trimming around 4,000 stalks a year from groves in Muko, Kyoto, for fifteen consecutive years. This is combined with bamboo trimmed from Arashiyama and Hanatoro to make lamps which are the used for events remembering the January 17 Great hanshin Earthquake.
  • (3) Restoring chinju-no-mori (small forest surrounding a Shinto shrine): collaborating with government and regional organizations to restore the forest around Muko Shrine. Holding an open-air kyogen theatre event.
  • (4) Motor sports events: six times a year
  • (5) Agriculture: the association has been growing soybeans and using them to make natto for five years
  • (6) Castle survey: four times a year with the aim of regional revitalization. There are also three other initiatives being implemented.