Soroptimist International of Kyoto’s event “Children’s Forest Learning” was held, and 40 people, including 27 elementary school students, joined the program.
At the beginning of the program, they were given a lecture by Mr. Takai, the Priest of Kibune Shrine, on the relationship among forests, water, and human society. Next, they headed to Kibuneyama National Forest and met Mr. Okayashi, an officer from Kyoto Osaka Forestry Administration Office. He explained the project “Koji-No-Mori,” “Forest for Ancient Matters,” in which timber for the repair of national cultural assets like wooden buildings is grown. Then, the participants went into the forest and helped to cut the undergrowth surrounding the saplings planted several years ago in order to promote the growth of the saplings. In the afternoon, they went hiking while observing the nature of the Kuramayama National Forest with certified Forest Instructors toward Kurama Temple. Although there were also quite a few up-and-downs along the path, everyone, including the younger children, walked through the forest enjoying various expressions of nature.
Comments from participants:
“It was a great opportunity that private individuals cannot experience.”
“I hope to participate in this kind of event again and deepen my experience in forests.”