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The Mitsui & Co. Environment Fund

Introduction to Grant Projects

The Senior Natural College (community organization-Nara/Hitoto-shizennokai)

NARAYAMA project- Protecting village forest in urban district = restoration and conservation activities

Activity grant

Project Description

The land bought by Nara-prefecture for protecting historical scenery — woodland areas of Saki-Cho/Narasaka-cho in Nara city — has been devastated over a long period with overgrowth of bamboo plant and bamboo grass due to insufficient maintenance. To rehabilitate this area in the future as a recreation spot for residents, we will utilize Bio Diesel Fuel (BDF) used out of recycled oil and sell canola oil by growing field mustard, and conduct landscape maintenance (tree thinning, cutting and weeding). In addition, cooperating with local community colleges and neighborhood community associations, we will conduct awareness campaigns such as holding a nature experience meeting for citizens.

Fields
Preservation of surface soil and forestsPreservation of biodiversity and ecosystem
Grant year
FY2007 Activity Grants
Grant term
3 years
April 2008 - March 2011
Grant amount
4,000,000 yen
Activity region
The areas of Saki-cho/Narasaka-cho in Nara-city, Nara-prefecture, covered under the ancient capitals preservation law, Japan
Cutting works of overgrown bamboo in woodlands

Overview of the Organization

Kazuo Abe, Chairperson
Representative
Kazuo Abe, Chairperson
Established
2001
Establishment purpose
Through natural environment conservation activities and natural environment education in Nara prefecture, we aim to foster mutual friendship and learning, and to contribute to the local community. Members are graduates who attended the Natural Environment Leaders Training Course (one year) at "NPO Senior Nature College" located in Osaka. We recruited volunteers in Nara Prefecture or from prefectures nearby, and established a regional organization.
Main areas of activity
Nara prefecture
Staff
100 full members
Annual operating income
340,000 yen in 2005, 720,000 yen in 2006, 930,000 yen in 2007
Recent activities
To see that the next generation takes over the stunning natural environment of Nara prefecture under a good condition, we will learn and grasp the current situation, and through repeated practical experience, will disseminate enlightenment to society. Specifically, (1) The monthly nature observation society through the annual plan, (2) Thinning maintenance of national forest as aid to prevent global warming, restoration of abandoned village/forest, maintenance and restoration activities (NARAYAMA Project), (3) Participation in events for enlightenment dissemination to the local community, dispatch of lecturers, (4) Interaction and collaboration with other organizations, (5) Encouragement for local people to join the association. In particular, the "NARAYAMA Project" began work on the 6.72 ha in the prefecture area through the ancient capital preservation law from 2007, and in 2008, under the auspices of the "Mitsui & Co., Ltd. Environment Fund" etc., it has built momentum.