Background: This project is actively working for SDG 15 (Life on Land), organized together with local NPOs, ‘Association to protect nature in Tondabayashi’ and ‘Hamuro club’ since 1999. 67% of land in Japan is covered with forest and 40% of them is human-made planted forest called SATOYAMA, where people used to receive the benefit to live such as food and resources. SATOYAMA needs to be maintained its biodiversity and to keep water adjustment function. Our ancestors had protected and utilized the forest in an ecological and sustainable way, which has been neglected by modernization. We try to revive it with global voluntary power! Most of the members of the local organization are aged 50-70 so they expect our participation of youth and foreign vols. to vitalize the activities both mentally and physically.
Work: In the morning, volunteers will work in the forest to maintain. Cutting woods, pealing skins, cutting bamboos, sometimes chopping firewood. In the afternoon, volunteers will have activities such as discussion about environmental issues, bamboo craft, having a lecture about SATOYAMA.
Accommodation:Simple local community house. Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns. Volunteers will take a bath to go to hot spring everyday.
Study theme: Volunteers will get knowledge of conservation work in a forest.
Other activities: Exchange parties, experiencing Japanese culture etc.
Location: Takitani fudo, Tondabayashi city in Osaka. 60 km south of Osaka city
Terminal: The nearest airport is Kansai (Osaka). To the meeting point, it will take about 1 hour by train. You need to arrive at Kansai airport by 10:00 on the 1st day and can leave the airport after 18:00 on the last day.
Requirements: Interest in nature conservation. Adaptability to enjoy a simple lifestyle is needed!
Participant fee: 9,000 JPY (55 EUR by the rate on 2023 Nov. 18th) of "NICE Volunteers" fee need to be paid in advance
either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free.