Midori Ippai Project Activities LINE 126Participation by 1,040 Employees in Preliminary Research for the 2015 Field Research of Dandelions in West Japan June 2015 NTT West Group
1,040 employees of NTT West Group provided support to the 2015 Field Research of Dandelions in West Japan. The research is led by the Dandelion Field Research Executive Committee, which forms the network of nature museums in western Japan.
There are many different species in the dandelion family in Japan, ranging from native ones that have existed since ancient times to alien species that were introduced into Hokkaido in the Meiji era for consumption. They became more widespread after the Meiji period, and we can also find hybrid species today.
Started in 1975, the dandelion field research gathers and studies actual samples of dandelions every five years.
The objective of the research is to understand the extent of human impact on the natural environment of a region and learn about changes in the natural environment by exploring one's local areas for dandelions to study and grasp how the different types are distributed.
NTT West Group participated in this research as part of the "NTT West Midori Ippai Project" activities that are launched in all the prefectures of western Japan. At the same time, we also hope that each individual among the many people in the prefectures of western Japan will have the opportunity to think about biodiversity by getting a realistic feel of changes in the environment around them through dandelions which are commonly found.
Last year, 961 employees took part in the preliminary research. Among those who have been taking part since last year, some would look up the research map in advance and obtain samples from places that have not yet been studied. Also, participants were able to strike a conversation through the research map, such as exchanging information on dandelions they have researched. Meanwhile, there were also others who visited places where native species were found last year to check whether they are still blooming this year. Dandelions that were received from different parts of Japan are now being studied in detail at the nature museums of the respective regions.
Through the "2015 Field Research of Dandelions" that allows us to feel the changes in our surrounding environment, many employees have begun to take interest in the topics of biodiversity and environment. We would like to thank the Dandelion Field Research Executive Committee for offering us such an opportunity. The next field research is scheduled in 2020 and the preliminary research will be held in 2019. We hope that those who have read this article will participate in the next round of dandelion field research and get a hands-on feel of how vegetation has been affected by mankind in the past.
URL??a href="http://gonhana.sakura.ne.jp/tanpopo2015/" target="_blank">2015 Field Research of Dandelions in West Japan
- Organizing companies
- NTT West Group companies
- Venue
- 30 prefectures in western Japan
- No. of participants
- 1,040 participants (head office: 55, Kansai: 140, Tokai: 84, Hokuriku: 237, Shikoku: 98, Chugoku: 236, Kyushu: 156, other group companies: 34)
