【Special Report】Start of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020

Green Wave logo
Green Wave logo

In October 2010,In October 2010, OISCA concluded a Memorandum of Understanding with the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and pledged cooperation for promoting awareness of and carrying out activities of the biodiversity conservation. This year designated as the International Year of Forests and in which the UN Decade on Biodiversity started, OISCA has exerted further efforts for enhancing awareness among the youth, and carried out the “Green Wave” campaign in which about 14,000 people participated at 105 places in 13 countries of the world.

Mongolian children planting seedlings
Mongolian children planting seedlings

In Mongolia that began taking part in the Children’s Forest Program last year, OISCA Mongolia, in cooperation with the Ulan Bator City Youth Bureau, also carried out tree planting this year. On May 14, about 30 children representing the various area groups that belong to the City Youth Bureau, planted a total of 100 trees, desiccation resistant larch and white birch trees combined. The challenge of OISCA Mongolia is going on for realizing that the greenbelt would spread in the large desert tract.In Mongolia

Tree planting on Mt. Fuji
Tree planting on Mt. Fuji

In Japan, various activities took place. On June 4, 272 people from 21 countries including foreign diplomats stationed in Japan, participated in the “Tree planting on Mt. Fuji” on June 4, and planted native tree species such as beech trees and oak trees and also set up nets for deer damage protection.

Forestation activities in Toyama
Forestation activities in Toyama

In Toyama Prefecture, OISCA Toyama Branch conducted on June 12 forestation activities for woodlands conservation. About 80 people comprising the children from the 10th band of the Toyama Council, Scout Association of Japan and employees with their children from Hokuriku Electric Power Company and other organizations, took part in the tree planting and nature observation activities. This time, OISCA Toyama Branch planted 105 seedlings including cherry seedlings donated from the Japan Nurserymen’s Association and Quecus serrata seedlings grown from acorns by the Branch. Following the tree planting, every one of the participants enjoyed nature game of observing the nature from the “perspective of insect” and also tasting “Tonjiru” – Japanese traditional miso soup.

Also in other countries, there have been a variety of efforts to enhance the content of environmental education by making good use of last year’s experience. These activities serve as opportunities to learn about the importance of greening on global scale and to think about the importance of biodiversity supporting our livelihood. OISCA intends to continue further promoting this campaign.

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