Sarobetsu (Northern Hokkaido)
From 1-4 October 2007, an international symposium
on sustainable regional regeneration and the conservation and restoration of
wetlands was held in Sarobetsu-genya, a Ramsar site. During the technical
visit, participants toured the national park visitor centre, abandoned peat
excavation sites, research sites and explored the local peatlands. During the
workshop, case studies from Europe were presented, followed by a lively
discussion.
International Exchange: Sustainable Regional
Regeneration and the Conservation and Restoration of Wetlands
Lively discussion during the workshop
(Photo: Harumi Kambe)
Over 100 people attended the symposium on 3 October. Notable was the poster
session where over 20 local organizations showcased their activities and
surrounding wetlands (including other Ramsar sites throughout Hokkaido)
themselves. There were even student representatives from the local high
school who enthusiastically presented their volunteer clean-up activities
and interacted with foreign delegates.
Observing the Sarobetsu-genya(Photo: Harumi Kambe)
Toyooka City (Hyogo prefecture)
On 5-6 October, delegates carried onto Toyooka City, Hyogo prefecture for the second leg of their tour. Toyooka City is home of the first successful attempt to reintroduce the oriental white stork (Ciconia boyciana) to Japan, which went extinct here despite its national natural monument designation. These birds were bred in captivity, and following habitat restoration released into the wild.
An oriental white stork gliding through the Toyooka sky
(Photo: Richard Lindsay)
At the symposium held on 6 October, Mr. Satake, section chief of the Co-existence
with the Oriental Stork Section, Toyooka City, outlined the Reintroduction
of the Oriental White Stork Plan. Mr. Satake highlighted the importance
of habitat conservation for this stork species, which incredibly, is not
particularly adept at catching fish. The successful reintroduction of the
oriental stork to Japan, he said, is a testament to the abundant nature
of Toyooka City.
Mr. Satake explains the Reintroduction of he Oriental White Stork Plan
(Photo: Harumi Kambe)
From holding these events, a deeper understanding of Japan’s nature and
nature conservation and restoration activities was achieved. Furthermore,
they served as a starting point for greater cooperation between Japan and
Europe.
