top of page

search results

58 items found for ""

  • Installation of composting stations and street leaf collection systems

    Fallen leaves play a natural and important role in the life cycle of trees. Fallen leaves are deposits of leaves that have fallen to the ground and play an important role in maintaining healthy forests and other ecosystems. As fallen leaves decompose, they provide nutrients for other plant growth, making them a natural fertilizer for the soil. They also improve soil structure and fertility, reduce erosion, and prevent drought. While it is understandable that some people do not like to see fallen leaves littering their yards and neighborhoods, it is important to recognize the important role that fallen leaves play for the environment. Instead of trying to stop people from disposing of fallen leaves, it may be more productive to find ways to manage them that are more acceptable to people. For example, raking, mulching, composting, or other methods of returning fallen leaves to the environment could be considered. By changing our attitudes and finding ways to coexist with fallen leaves, we can maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem and support the health and well-being of trees and other plants. Trees and other plants play an important role in the health of the natural environment and provide many benefits to humans and other living organisms. For example, trees produce oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide, and provide shade and shelter. They also help other plants grow and provide habitat for a variety of animals. Thus, trees contribute to the health and well-being of the entire natural world. Protecting and preserving trees helps ensure the well-being of the environment and the many species that depend on it. How do I collect fallen leaves to make compost for good soil? Composting is a natural process that transforms organic matter, such as fallen leaves, into a rich, soil-like substance called compost. Compost is a valuable resource in the garden and can be used to improve soil, promote plant growth, and reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers. To make compost from fallen leaves, follow these steps Collect fallen leaves. Collect fallen leaves in your yard or neighborhood, or in a nearby park or natural area. Mix different types of leaves to create a more diverse compost. Chop up the leaves. Use a lawn mower or shredder to chop the leaves into small pieces. Shredding will help organic matter break down more quickly and expedite the composting process. Place leaves in compost container. Place the chopped leaves in the compost container or pile. At this time, mix with other organic matter such as grass clippings, food scraps, coffee grounds, etc. to create a well-balanced compost. Water the compost regularly and turn the soil over. Add water as needed to keep the compost moist. Rotate the compost regularly with a pitchfork or similar tool to aerate it and promote decomposition. Harvest from compost. Let the compost sit for a few weeks or months, and the organic matter should have broken down into a rich, soil-like substance. A compost sifter or screen can be used to separate the compost from the larger organic material. With the above steps, compost can be made from fallen leaves and other organic matter and used to improve soil and plant growth in the garden. Installing composting stations and street leaf collection systems could help reduce complaints about fallen leaves. Providing a convenient and easy way to dispose of fallen leaves and other organic materials may encourage more people to compost and reduce the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfills. Composting has many benefits, including reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills, protecting natural resources, and improving soil health and fertility. By making it easier for people to compost, cities and communities can promote these benefits and encourage more sustainable practices. Overall, increasing the availability of composting stations and systems for collecting fallen leaves would not only reduce complaints about fallen leaves, but also provide a variety of other environmental and social benefits. Here are some ideas for composting stations that everyone can enjoy. Community Composting Events Consider organizing events where everyone can collect fallen leaves and other organic materials and compost them together. Such events can be held on a regular or one-time basis and can include activities such as raking leaves, composting demonstrations, and educational workshops. Education about composting. Providing educational materials and resources about composting, such as brochures, posters, and hands-on exhibits, can help encourage people to compost and teach them about the benefits of composting. Rewards Program. Consider implementing a reward program that offers points or other rewards based on the amount of fallen leaves brought to the composting station. These rewards can be exchanged for composting tools, plants, or other items. Activities for children. Organize activities and programs for children, such as leaf hunts, leaf-related crafts, nature walks, etc., that allow children to participate in the composting process and learn about the importance of composting. Incorporating these and other elements can create a composting station that everyone can enjoy and learn from, helping to spread the benefits of composting to the community. Here are some ideas for educational programs that use fallen leaves as a teaching tool Fallen leaf searches. Make a list of the different types of leaves and have the children engage in a scavenger hunt to collect as many different types of leaves as possible. Learn about the different types of trees and leaf characteristics. Leaf Identification Create a leaf identification chart or book with pictures and descriptions of various types of leaves. Students can compare the leaves they collect with that chart or book to learn about the types of trees in their area. Leaf Art Have students use fallen leaves to create artwork such as leaf prints, leaf collages, leaf rubbings, etc. Students can enhance their creativity and artistic skills while learning about the different shapes, sizes, and textures of leaves. Leaf-themed science experiments Use fallen leaves to conduct scientific experiments, such as observing the decomposition process, measuring the density of different types of leaves, and testing the water absorbency of leaves. This is a great way for children to learn hands-on while learning about scientific concepts and processes. By incorporating fallen leaves into educational programs, children can learn about the natural world and the important role trees and plants play in the environment.

  • Landscaping and AI Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Design Process

    Artificial intelligence is changing the way we create and maintain our landscapes. Artificial intelligence is even changing the way we think about landscapes. But if you are ready to incorporate new technologies into your landscape design and maintenance, read on. This article will cover some of the ways artificial intelligence (AI) is being applied to landscape design and why you should consider using it yourself. Collage is a tool for generating ideas. It is a way to think, create, express and understand things. Collage allows you to visualize your ideas in an abstract way. It also gives you the opportunity to add to your imagination, experiment with different materials and combine them in new ways. The word collage comes from the French word coller, which means "to glue" or "to paste. In its most basic form, collage involves cutting out materials such as paper, fabric, or photographs, and pasting them onto another surface (usually paper) to create a work of art. This technique can be done by anyone who wants to express themselves artistically with limited materials, but historically, there are many different styles that have developed around this technique. Some artists prefer to work with one type of material, while others use multiple materials depending on the image of the finished work. New Techniques in Landscape Design In the field of landscape design, new techniques have made it possible to create unique and personalized landscapes. These include Artificial Intelligence (AI) 3D printing Virtual Reality (VR) The use of AI in landscape design is beneficial in that it automates the collection, processing, and analysis of data and can be used for many applications. However, there are also a few disadvantages to using AI, such as the inability to accurately simulate nature and to take into account human factors such as emotions and culture. Role of Artificial Intelligence in Landscaping Artificial intelligence (AI) is technology that mimics human intelligence. It can use algorithms to automate certain tasks and help make decisions in a variety of industries; AI's ability to process large amounts of data allows it to analyze large amounts of information faster than designers can analyze it on their own. The use of AI in landscape design has been around since the early 1900s, but only recently has it really become mainstream. Today, AI has evolved to be able to not only identify objects, but also to understand emotion and context from words and actions, which is known as deep learning. In recent years, artificial intelligence has captured the attention of many. From self-driving cars to voice assistants like Alexa and Siri, artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to integrate into our daily lives. while AI may still seem like the stuff of science fiction, it can actually influence the design process, and in fact, it already has! In this section, we will discuss how AI can be used in the design process. Here is how AI is being used in landscape design. Artificial intelligence can assist in the design process by generating new ideas and images based on certain parameters. It can help designers find keywords for a project, analyze past designs, and generate new designs based on what worked and what did not work. The image below is from Midjourney, an AI web-based service that renders images according to a combination of inserted keywords. It "generates its own artificial intelligence program that creates images from text descriptions, similar to OpenAI's DALL-E or the open source Stable Diffusion." I put in the keyword hydrangea Gaku hydrangea Japan endemic. Artificial Intelligence is already starting to leave its mark on landscape architecture by enabling more efficient creation of new designs and analysis of existing designs. conclusions can be drawn. Such insights come automatically by generating algorithms that learn from historical data from past projects that are similar enough not to invalidate them as input data, but different enough not to stray from the idea that all projects behave exactly the same under certain conditions (see (This is very difficult for the designer). The image above was created according to the keywords: "illustrate trees in detail". The more detailed the keywords are, the more specific the image will be, so keyword selection is also important. The more detailed, the more specific the image, so keyword selection is also important. In this way, we feel that there are infinite possibilities for garden design and the creation of ideas using AI. So, what will be the future of landscape design? We need to consider how artificial intelligence will affect the human experience. We must learn how to use these tools responsibly so that we are not disenfranchised as field craftsmen or as designers and planners. In addition, we must consider how these technologies can be used in conjunction with existing practices, such as traditional landscape architecture, to provide new perspectives on older practices.

  • Basics of pruning trees and shrubs What is the property value of a garden?

    Pruning trees and shrubs is an important part of maintaining a beautiful garden. Proper pruning can improve the health and appearance of plants and promote growth and development. When is the best time to prune garden trees? The best time to prune trees and shrubs depends on their species, but generally it is best to prune them in late winter or early spring. This allows you to remove dead or damaged branches before the plant begins to put on new leaves and flowers. Pruning Tools It is important to use the right tools for pruning. For small branches, pruning shears will suffice. For larger branches, a pruning saw is needed. Use tools that are sharp and clean to avoid damaging the plant. How to prune There are several different pruning methods depending on the size and type of plant you are pruning. For example, for large branches, there is the "three-cut method". This method involves making three cuts to gradually remove branches without damaging the plant. For small branches, there is the "flush cut method," which cuts as close to the trunk as possible. When pruning trees and shrubs, it is important to have a clear objective. Is it to remove dead or damaged branches, to promote growth, or to shape the plant? Knowing the purpose will help you prune correctly. Pruning trees and shrubs requires some skill and knowledge, but with the right tools and techniques, you can maintain a beautiful garden. Japanese gardens have a long history, with some dating back to the 8th century. These gardens were initially influenced by the Chinese gardens of the Tang Dynasty and were designed as places for peaceful meditation and spiritual reflection. Later, Japanese gardens began to incorporate Buddhist and Shinto ideas and became an important part of Japanese culture. It is generally believed that a well-maintained garden increases the property value of a house. This is because a garden adds beauty and makes the property more attractive to potential buyers. In addition, a garden can provide functional outdoor space for leisure and recreation, which can be an important factor for many people when choosing a home. As a result, a garden increases a property's attractiveness and value. How to increase the property value of your garden? Applying the Hedonic Method The hedonic method is a type of economic analysis, a technique used to estimate the value of a particular product or service. It is based on the idea that the value of a product or service can be determined by analyzing the individual characteristics and attributes that make up the product or service. For example, when evaluating a house, the hedonic method examines various characteristics of the house, such as its size, location, and number of bedrooms, and evaluates each characteristic. The overall value of the house is then determined by summing the values of all the individual characteristics. The value of a garden, however, can be difficult to determine because it depends on a variety of factors. In general, a garden provides a variety of aesthetic, leisure, recreational, and environmental benefits. These benefits are difficult to quantify, but can contribute to the overall value of a property. In addition, gardens can provide functional benefits, such as the production of fruits, vegetables, and other crops. The value of these functional benefits depends on the specific characteristics of the garden and local market conditions. Overall, the value of a garden depends on a variety of factors, making it difficult to determine its exact value. The garden is the heart In literature and poetry, the garden is often used as a metaphor for the mind. In this metaphor, the garden represents the inner world of the heart, the place where our thoughts and feelings grow and blossom. Just as a garden needs nurturing and tending in order to grow, so does the heart need nurturing and tending in order to be healthy and happy. A garden can also represent the potential for growth and beauty that exists within the heart. Just as a garden is a source of beauty and joy, the heart, when properly nurtured and cared for, is a source of love and happiness.

  • Reused wooden pallets - look around and you'll see HAPPY eco-stacks.

    By collecting branches, fallen leaves, weeds, grass after mowing, etc., and breaking them into small pieces and agitating them, microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi promote the decomposition of fallen leaves and dead organisms. Eco-stacks are installed in places for environmental education. Organic matter is carbon, and its high content in the soil reduces carbon dioxide emissions and can be fed to plants as compost, making it suitable for a wide range of uses, from observing organisms to making compost. By successfully creating a habitat for decomposers, a soil rich in nutrients and organic matter can be created, providing a home for many organisms. For example, earthworms eat bacteria and soil together in the soil and use them in their intestines to become feces, which are then stirred into the soil. Termites live symbiotically with fungi in their intestines that help them digest wood, and they eat dead and fallen trees, decompose them, and turn them into soil. Thanks to these activities, the soil is rich in nutrients, crops are grown, and we can feel that we are living on the food we eat every day. Why did Charles Darwin choose earthworms and soil for his last book in his later years? Couldn't the big theme entrusted to these small animals be the basis for solving today's environmental and other problems? This time, we installed Eco Stack next to the mountain forest at Tsuda Gakuen Elementary School in Kuwana City. We collected fallen leaves and branches from forest maintenance, etc., and had fun learning about the environment! We call it Take a peek and see the HAPPY ECO STACK! Used wooden pallets were provided by Oki Botanical Garden Co. in Suzuka City and used for the outer frame. Some places trade in pallets that are no longer in use, so it is a good idea to reuse pallets that are no longer in use. I applied preservative only on the outside in advance. Next time I would like to apply preservative-free preservative. Production procedure of how to make ecostacks manufacturing process 1. Arrange the palette in the finishing position and make the parts. <Making 4 parts Vertical A123 Vertical B123 Horizontal Horizontal Connecting board (thick) → 3.8cm wood screw Connecting plate (thin) → 3.8cm wood screws Binder plate (thick) → 5cm or 7cm tapping screw Impact carrying in (1) Connect each pallet with a connecting board (2) Create the inside of the palette Horizontal parts → acrylic board + plywood Vertical parts: 2 large and 1 small sheet 7cm or 9cm tapping screws Wooden pallets with holes were used and acrylic plates were attached from the inside to allow observation of the inside of the soil. 2. After completing the four parts, the finished position was checked and assembled into a box shape. 3. Connect the verticals to the interior with a connecting board for the corners. If there are unstable elements, drive stakes to stabilize them (not done this time). *If it is difficult to see inside, cut with a jigsaw + sanding 4. Place and stabilize the logs in the four corners of the eco-stack. The trees piled up in the middle will be a home for the creatures. 5. Move the pre-chipped cedar inside and spread it out, stirring and mixing it with the grass. 6. Cleanup of the surrounding area 7. Eco-Stack signage installed and complete! You can install it in your garden or school and enjoy making compost while observing the changes in the soil and the organisms that live there, creating a natural cycle. How about creating your own original eco-stack by combining materials?

  • We participated in the Chiyozaki Coast Beach Cleanup.

    On Sunday, June 12, 2022, we participated in a beach cleanup organized by NPO Suzu Hana & Poka Poka. At 10:00 in the morning, there was a greeting from Suzuka-san, followed by a presentation on Beach Clean Bingo by the members of the Suzuka High School Volunteer Club Kuore, and then a picture-story show about ocean plastics by the members of the Merinol Academy Volunteer Club. I was surprised that there was even a volunteer club, but quite a number of students from six different high schools participated in the event. It was a great pleasure to see so many young people with a high awareness of environmental issues. Marine plastics are plastic debris floating in the ocean, and those that have been reduced in size over time are called microplastics. The amount of plastic debris that washes into the ocean each year can amount to more than 10 million tons, and it washes up on beaches. It is well known that marine organisms eat the smaller plastic trash, mistaking it for food, as one of the environmental problems. I was impressed by the large number of high school students and young people who participated in the beach cleanup, and I felt that they are all very passionate about environmental issues. I was also surprised that the amount of trash was much smaller than expected. I had an image that the beach was littered with debris, but it seems that various NPOs and others regularly conduct cleanup activities at Chiyozaki Beach, so the beach was very clean. The same goes for the garden and the ocean. If you take care of them diligently, you will surely see results. I was very impressed and learned a lot as I watched them work together as one, eagerly looking down and picking up trash in the heat of the day.

  • Monozukuri" and "Monozukuri

    As the head of the Woodworking Department, I have been thinking about "monozukuri" (manufacturing). First of all, what is monozukuri? I will look into the following. According to Wikipedia, the term "monozukuri" means "manufacturing." Since the 1980s, simple manufacturing tasks have been lost to China and other less developed countries, and the IT boom and zaitekku (financial technology) have become popular, leaving only a negative impression of the Japanese manufacturing industry, represented by 3K. However, in the late 1990s, the Japanese manufacturing industry experienced a resurgence, led by the automobile industry, and this led to the recognition that Japanese manufacturing was not an intensive, simple labor industry, but a more advanced, highly spiritual technological activity. The current prosperity of the manufacturing industry in Japan is a result of the "monozukuri" concept. The current prosperity of the Japanese manufacturing industry has its origins in traditional Japanese culture. The "monozukuri" expression is expressed in the Yamato dialect. The history of the Japanese manufacturing industry can be seen in "monozukuri" expressed in the Yamato dialect. I also found an article about the difference between "monozukuri" and "monozukuri. At first glance, "mono" in hiragana and "mono" in katakana seem to refer to the same thing, but in fact there are cases where they are used differently in different manufacturing sites. First, "monozukuri" in hiragana In this case, "mono" refers to the "thing" itself to be produced, of which "product" used in human life is a typical example. For example, in the case of making a product called a clock, the hands are placed in the clock face according to a predetermined method of production, the clock is made to move properly, and the clock itself is created. On the other hand, "monozukuri" using katakana seems to have a broader meaning in some cases. In this case, "mono" does not only refer to the product itself, but also includes activities to infuse "added value" into the "thing (product)," such as thinking of new development methods and incorporating services to make the product better. In a broad sense, "design concept (architecture)" is important, and it is important to think about what is suitable for the needs of this era, how to manufacture it, and how to distribute it in an integrated manner, and to plan well by properly grasping the flow of design concept transmitted from development, production, to customers. In this way, "monodzukuri" means "manufacturing" and "production. If we assume that the concept is the idea or philosophy of the creator, then the "monozukuri" is to create the concept into a product. The "concept" is born from a firm awareness of who and what the object is being made for. As for the activities of the woodworking club, we would like to "create things" with a broad perspective. Our current thoughts are to create "products" with the following in mind: to make people imagine trees, and to make them fall in love with nature, including both trees and living creatures. Thoughts are individuality.

  • I participated in the Mie Prefecture Global Warming Prevention Activity Promoters Training Seminar.

    On June 21, 2022, I participated in the Mie Prefecture Global Warming Prevention Activity Promoters Training Program. It has been a year since I started working as a Mie Prefecture Global Warming Prevention Activity Promoter in April 2021, promoting activities and measures to prevent global warming in Mie Prefecture, including educational activities on the current situation of global warming and the importance of global warming countermeasures. Although it has not been easy, I would like to gradually participate in environmental learning opportunities and delivery of lectures. The problem of global warming is caused by the increase in the concentration of gases in the atmosphere due to human activities, which would normally be maintained at a constant level by the absorption of heat from greenhouse gases as the earth's surface is heated by energy from the sun. The average annual temperature in Japan has been increasing at a rate of about 1.15°C per century over the long term, resulting in a heat wave every year, which affects both native trees and planted trees in Japan. In Tsu City, Mie Prefecture, the maximum temperature has increased by 1.7°C per century, and the number of midsummer days has increased by 9.2 days in 50 years. Every year in some garden, trees have died because of this heat. The heat is also affecting the biological season, as flowers that did not bloom in this season before are now in bloom. This year, too, the cherry blossoms in Mie Prefecture bloomed three days earlier than usual, but it seems to be five or five days earlier per 50 years. Also, at first glance, the increase in carbon dioxide concentration may be good for plants. However, there is a limit to the concentration of carbon dioxide that plants can absorb, and up to a certain level, plants grow well, but beyond that level, their growth stagnates. I hear that plants are adapting to the heat and rising carbon dioxide concentrations and that rice varieties have been bred to withstand the summer heat, but I wonder if we humans ourselves will not be able to adapt, and if there is anything we can do to help, even if only a little, in the near future we will be like goldfish in a pond with a mouth full of acid. Maybe I just want to do something useful for others to maintain my self-esteem. We will do what we can do, starting with what we like to do.

  • How to eat and enjoy pine trees

    Pine trees have been used in many places from prehistoric times, when pine nuts, pine needles, and pine branches were used since the Paleolithic Age, to the present day, when the benefits of trees were more than ample in our daily lives. Pine needles are plucked and chewed like gum, pine needle juice is made, and pine is said to have a variety of beneficial effects. Pine needles are said to be a hermit's food, having a number of benefits, such as controlling high blood pressure and intestinal disorders, and also used as a skin toner. Today, I feel the greatness and preciousness of nature by making use of trees in the mountains and in my garden.

  • The World of Earthworms and Liquid Fertilizer Production Worm Composting

    Many of the organs that humans possess are also found in earthworms, which are actually a type of higher animal like humans. The major difference is that it has no eyes. There is a theory that it was named "blind" → "me-mezu" → "memezu" → "earthworm" because it is a creature without eyes. Some regions still call it "memezu. Some researchers have identified 118 species in 8 families, while others have identified 7,000 species. The size of earthworms varies from less than 1 mm to as large as 45 cm for the "Siebold's earthworm," which lives in central Japan and westward. The Megascorides australis, which lives in Australia, is said to be the world's largest species at 3.5 meters. The main functions of earthworms are "soil improvement" and "food chain". Earthworms feed on soil, digest and absorb organic matter, microorganisms, and small animals contained in the soil, and excrete them as granular feces. Soil-borne earthworms are considered to be more effective in soil improvement than surface earthworms, and the two types of terrestrial earthworms commonly found in and around fields are the Diptera and the Thrushidae. In Japan in particular, the family Phormiidae are more abundant and are found mainly in the soil. The family of the earthworms is the family of the striped earthworms, and it is these worms that are used in composting and garbage. The food and habits of the Dipterocarpaceae and the striped earthworms are different. The family Dermacentridae is characterized by a body length of about 10 cm, which is slightly larger than that of the striped earthworm, and is the most common type of earthworm found in the field. They live by digging holes in the ground and making burrows, so the earthworms that appear when plowing the fields are basically this type of earthworm family. The Phthomidae feed on the surface layer of the soil and soil containing organic matter, and continue to move through the ground while producing feces rich in nutrients. The earthworms thus cultivate the soil, increasing aeration and drainage and creating fertile soil. The life span is about one year, and their reproductive capacity is weaker than that of the striped earthworm. The striped earthworm is characterized by its body length of 5 to 10 centimeters, slightly smaller than the Diptera family, and has a striped pattern on its body. They tend to live in moist areas with a lot of organic matter, such as in and around compost rather than in the soil, and they do not dive very deep to live. They also like to eat food scraps and decaying organic matter, which the Diptera family does not eat very often, and they do not make burrows, so they have no problem stirring up compost, making them suitable for composting. They are also more fertile than fucoid worms and have a long life span of about two years. Striped earthworms used as fishing bait are sometimes called pheasants in fishing terminology, because they produce yellow blood (yellow blood) when the hook is pierced, which is one way to distinguish them from furtive worms. They are also at the bottom of the food chain in the animal kingdom and play a major role as important food for many animals, from small animals such as insects and moles to medium-sized species such as birds, and even larger species such as wild boars and badgers. When earthworms inhabit soil contaminated with heavy metals, pesticides, and other chemicals, they bioaccumulate these contaminants and may cause poisoning in predators. The earthworms themselves can survive extremely high concentrations of contamination that would kill their predators and become poisoned. For this reason, caution should be exercised when wild-caught worms are eaten by humans, as birds and fish that eat such worms may further bioaccumulate in their bodies, causing harm back to humans in a roundabout way. In the United Kingdom, this bioaccumulation is being used in reverse to clean up soil contaminated with heavy metals. Earthworms are also widely used for other purposes, such as herbal medicine, animal feed, foodstuffs, and liquid fertilizer. There is some folklore about earthworms, and it has long been known that dogs like the smell of dried earthworms, which is said to have the same effect on cats (or cats in general) as matatabi. In the manga "Kamui Gaiden" and "Sasuke" by Sanpei Shirato published in the 1960s, "Inuman" is introduced as a kind of item used in ninjutsu. When surrounded by enemies, he would use Inuman to call in a large number of wild dogs and then take advantage of the confusion to escape. Inuman is said to be made of earthworms (a sludgy liquid made by grinding a large number of earthworms, or dried earthworm powder?) (a sludgy liquid made by grinding large quantities of earthworms, or dried earthworm powder? It's only an earthworm, but it's an earthworm. The more you study them, the deeper and more interesting their world becomes.

  • Participated in a ceremony to issue a letter of appointment as a Mie Prefecture nature conservation

    On July 1, 2022, I participated as an individual in a ceremony to issue a letter of appointment as a Mie Prefecture nature conservation instructor. The Mie Prefecture Nature Conservation Instructor is responsible for inspecting nature conservation areas and natural park facilities, providing guidance and advice, collecting information on nature conservation, and reporting on his/her activities. I am applying for this position because I would like to be involved in the conservation of the vegetation, flora and fauna of the mountains and forests of Mie Prefecture, and I would like to make use of my experience in mountain maintenance and tree planting. My term of office will be from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2024 (2 years), and I will be in charge of the western part of Suzuka City. Kasato (1-4 chome), Kasato Town, Hirose Town, Takatsuka Town, Tsuga Town, Ishiyakushi Town, Ueno Town, Ueda Town, Shimo-Okubo Town, Hanakawa Town, Kishida Town, Yamamoto Town, Okubo Town, Tsubakiichimiya Town, Fukamizo Town, Oiwake Town, Mihata Town, Ifune Town, Nagasawa Town, Koja Town, Ogisu Town, Nishishonai Town and Higashishonai Town Suzuka City is located in the northern part of Mie Prefecture and has a variety of landforms, including mountains, plains, hills, and coastlines from the Suzuka Mountains to the coast of Ise Bay, including Sengan-dake, which rises over 900 m, Notozan-dake, Irudogadake, and Kushiro-dake. The area is rich in botanical diversity, with 5,000 to 6,000 plant species. The area is also home to a large number of mammals, including raccoons, foxes, hares, red mice, and antelopes, as well as a variety of insects and amphibians. This area is designated as Suzuka National Park managed by the prefectural government, with a length of 50 kilometers and an area of 29,821 hectares. The area is 50 kilometers long and 29,821 hectares in area, and is home to a rich natural environment and rare plants and animals. The vegetation is dominated by artificial forests of Japanese cedar and cypress, and secondary forests of broad-leaved trees, including azalea and asebi forests, which are designated as natural treasures by Mie Prefecture. Secondary forests are also known as compensatory vegetation, and visitors can learn about the history of the use of mountain lands as vegetation that has been changed by human influence. It is said that only small areas of natural vegetation remain in Japan, and natural forests can be seen in shrine and temple forests and on slopes that are inaccessible to humans. The natural environment is a process that changes depending on the surrounding conditions. From the viewpoint of conservation, it is necessary to keep the natural environment around us in good condition for the next generation. Teaching means teaching and guiding toward a certain goal. In addition to this, facilitation is also necessary in today's increasingly complex society, and if we can achieve our goals by clarifying objectives and issues, viewing nature from a neutral standpoint, and communicating its true nature to as many people as possible, while deepening mutual understanding with nature, we can create roles within those objectives. This will help to create a history among the people who take on these roles, and establish a connection and community with nature.

  • After the Disaster-Resistant Forest Creation Workshop

    I attended a lecture on disaster-resistant forestation at Ctec Corporation in Tsu City, Mie Prefecture. The lecturer was Mr. Kenichi Takada, Chairman of the Natural Planting Technology Council, and the day went by quickly as I learned a lot and made some new connections. The more one learns about the current state of forests, the more obvious it becomes that mountain maintenance will be essential in the future, with spectacular mountain disasters occurring every year throughout Japan. n August 2014, torrential rains caused a landslide in Hiroshima City; in 2018, a large-scale landslide was caused by the Iburi East Earthquake in Hokkaido; and in 2019, strong winds from Typhoon No. 15 caused a large number of downed trees in Chiba Prefecture, resulting in large-scale long-term power outages. Other natural disasters, such as record-breaking rainfall, earthquakes, and extreme weather events have occurred in many areas, making it impossible to maintain the land and forests. The "fuel revolution" has driven people away from forests, and the bright forests that used to be used have been replaced by dark forests with aging trees and dense growths of bamboo and bamboo shoots. The multifaceted functions of forests are important in understanding forests. Forests have many public functions, one of which is the function of preventing landslides and preserving the soil. In order to fulfill these functions, forests must be managed so that they remain healthy. In particular, if man-made forests such as cedar and cypress that have been cultivated by human hands are not properly managed, they will fall into disrepair, and the public interest function will not be fulfilled. In addition, in order to enhance the biodiversity conservation function, it is essential to sustainably and appropriately manage secondary forests and man-made forests that have been created by human hands.

  • Let's look for fish and insects in the regulating pond.

    On July 31, 2022, we assisted with an event at Daiwa House Mie Factory in Mie Prefecture. We were allowed to go to the event. Many families participated in the event despite the strong morning sun and extremely hot weather. The children were enthusiastically picking up tadpoles and walking along the waterway, where they were greeted by a variety of cute creatures, including tamaroko, loach, taikoguchi, bullfrog tadpoles, and woodlice. Some of the children were quite knowledgeable about living things, and some of them knew that the American crayfish is an invasive species, while the sea squirt is a native species, and they understood the importance of biodiversity very well. Even in the small space of a pond, there are many living creatures, and biodiversity is nurtured there on a daily basis. By looking at these small lives, we can learn how precious they are and how important the environment is to them. The role of environmental education using such places is very important, and there have been many activities in recent years to revitalize waterside spaces centered around ponds. When the ecological diversity of the surrounding area is low, a system for regeneration can be established by drying out the pond and removing invasive species while also improving the environment of the surrounding greenbelt. By participating in these events as a family, children and their parents will have the opportunity to interact with nature and its creatures together, deepening their views and perspectives on living things and making the experience even more memorable. We also felt that we would like to convey to our clients the beauty of their gardens, including biodiversity, as well as the diversity of trees and shrubs. We hope to convey the beauty of the garden to our clients by including biodiversity as well as the diversity of trees and trees in the garden. It was a very blessed day and I learned a lot.

  • Jig, jig, and jig are self-tools

    Jig" is a word I began to hear soon after opening the door to the world of woodworking. What is a jig? So I looked it up. he original word for jig is the English word "jig. The meaning of the English word "jig" and its explanation in Japan are almost the same: "A jig is a device with an auxiliary role in machining that fixes the workpiece to be machined and guides it during the machining process, and is also called an auxiliary tool. It is also called an auxiliary tool." Perhaps because it is based on an English word, it is sometimes written in katakana as "jig," and the word "jig" seems to have been applied to the word "jig" as a jig or jig. When you visit a woodworker's studio, you will always find a jig of his or her own making. When I ask them how to use them, they explain with great pleasure. I got the impression that he enjoys making his own jigs, thinking of tools to improve processing efficiency or to assist with difficult tasks. In the landscaping industry, there are also people who make their own hand tools, such as trowels to harden the soil that forms the foundation, handles for masonry tools, and hand-pads used for gardening and finishing cleaning. I can feel the spirit of these makers who "enjoy their work and spare no effort to make it better. I would like to emulate the spirit of these craftspeople, first imitating their senior craftspeople and then making my own tools, "jigu," to make things in my own way.

  • SUZUKA Sanpomichi Garden Virtual Map Production Project

    We went to a virtual map production meeting at Sanpomichi in Yamamoto-cho, Suzuka City. The camera is RICOH THETA Z1 and the editing tool is 360.biz. When taking pictures, if you don't hide quickly, you'll get a shadow in the picture, so back away instantly! Editing at 360.biz Anyone can create 360° virtual contents by placing 360° images on the map and connecting them in a simulated manner. Photogrammetry was also taken. By using tools such as PIX4D to create 3DCG models, it is possible to move freely in a virtual space using data generated by integrating 2D and 3D The data generated by integrating 2D and 3D information can be used to move freely within a virtual space. Photographing 3D models of plants using photogrammetry can be quite tricky.

  • Biotope Management in Mie Prefecture Mowing Terraced Rice Paddies and Natural Farming

    We mowed the pathways of the terraced biotope. We continued to use nylon cords to mow down to the ground edge and beat the soil to harden it. Originally, in order to promote the transition of vegetation, we mow the area up to the edge of the ground once and gradually remove the roots after identifying those that spread by pioneer seeds and underground stems as time passes. The progress of the raking in the biotope constructed in April was observed and was in good condition for a while, but we saw an outbreak of conagi (eelgrass). However, if a large number of conger eel blooms occur, it will affect the ecosystem of the Japanese loach, and the Japanese loach will die if the water level is too deep. Ideally, it would be better to make a deep-water plow and then gradually lower the water level, but it would also be better to consider creating a shelter for the creatures. In this biotope, it would be necessary to control the vegetation by raking in midwinter according to the ecology of the damselfly and the cobia loach, and mowing the tops of some of the coneflowers with nylon cords in spring or before summer when various organisms become active, in order to control the amount of the coneflowers. I think that the reason for the large number of conagia was that the trench soil layer was not well formed and the buried seeds floated up to the surface and germinated. I think that biotope management is similar to the cycle of rice cultivation achieved through natural agriculture. When I told my adoptive father, Dr. Shinobu, that I had never eaten conger eel, he told me that I should do all those things while I was young. I had eaten grasshoppers and ants as a child, but if I had known I could eat conger eel, I would have eaten it during my insect hunt. The experience of being in nature is very useful for survival in the event of a major earthquake or disaster that shuts down infrastructure and everything else.

  • sharpen knives

    Just as you sharpen your blades cleanly before you start tending to your garden, you sharpen your blades before you start sharpening wood on a wood lathe. This is because working with an unsharp blade is dangerous, inefficient, and does not produce a clean finish. Since I have just started using a wood lathe for the first time, I use a special jig to sharpen the blade so that I can sharpen it properly. Even with a jig, sharpening cannot be done well if the angle setting or the way the hand is moved when sharpening is wrong. Some advanced sharpeners can sharpen knives freehand, but this is still a long way off. Sharpening knives is so important that it determines the finished work. For this reason, they use water sharpeners, grindstones, finishing methods, and various other sharpening methods. I hope to gain experience and improve in my own way while watching the backs of my seniors.

bottom of page