LINE 114 Commemorative Event for Hitting 10,000 Participants in 30 Prefectures for the Midori Ippai Project

We held an event titled "Commemorative Event for Hitting 10,000 Participants in 30 Prefectures for the Midori Ippai Project," where a total of about 170 employees and their family as well as former staff gathered to hold a commemorative tree planting ceremony and weeding activity at the "Forest of Symbiosis" in Sakai City of Osaka.

This time, we have specially invited mascot characters to the event: "Parky" is the official mascot character for Osaka Prefectural Park Association, which is responsible for promoting greening at as well as the operation and management of parks including Hamadera Park in Sakai City; "Shikanai-san" is the mascot for Inochi no Sato Kyotomura, an NPO that carries out activities to achieve the co-existence and co-prosperity between villages and cities, thereby helping to conserve the satoyama (village forests) in the Kyoto area. On this clear day in May with temperature rising, both children and adult participants had an enjoyable experience taking part in the commemorative tree planting and weeding activities.

The event started with a presentation on the history of the Midori Ippai Project, followed by the planting of a commemorative tree by Parky and Shikanai-san respectively. As it is slightly late to plant trees in this season, we have narrowed down the species to five that are most resilient, namely the muku, nettle, Japanese spindle, black pine and ring-cupped oak. Participants planted a total of 180 trees with guidance from members of "Nature Osaka" on how it is done.

In the past, we always tagged saplings that were found while weeding the undergrowth. To develop a stronger attachment, we prepared two tags this time that are indicated with the name of the tree species and the person who planted it, and one of them was presented to the participants as a commemorative token.

Those who have taken part in the weeding activity before would know very well why it is necessary to tag the saplings: it would be difficult to weed the undergrowth if saplings were hidden among the grass. By tagging the saplings, weeding can be performed thoroughly, which helps to promote the growth of the saplings. After the commemorative tree planting ceremony, participants were allocated to areas where trees have been planted and spent about an hour weeding the undergrowth. Through this experience, participants were able to learn the importance of weeding and the purpose of tagging saplings.

Also, to allow the participating children to learn about biodiversity while enjoying the experience, we have included a game to explore living things. We hid many different cards with the drawings of living things that inhabit the "Forest of Symbiosis" in an area that was piled with straw for mulching. Children were asked to locate the cards from the straw piles and tell everyone what they have found. The children dived into the pile and enjoyed this extraordinary experience with the happiest smile on their faces.

As a company that consumes a large amount of energy which imposes a heavy load on the environment, NTT West will continue to promote activities to conserve biodiversity through the Midori Ippai Project.

We would like to thank everyone who has participated in this event.

URL: Inochi no Sato Kyotomura
URL: Osaka Prefectural Park Association
URL: Nature Osaka

Organizing companies

NTT West Group

Venue

Osaka Prefecture, Sakai City No. 7-3 (industrial waste landfill site)

No. of participants

168
Mascot characters: Parky and Shikanai-san