Midori Ippai Project Activities LINE 310Participation in the Ishikawa Forestation Project October 27 and November 3, 2018 NTT West Hokuriku Group
NTT West Hokuriku Group took part in the "Ishikawa Forestation Project" that was held on two Saturdays, October 27 and November 3, 2018. This project was hosted by Ishikawa Reforestation Promotion Association.
The "Ishikawa Forestation Project" is a forest conservation activity that is held at three locations (Kaga, Kanazawa and Noto) to preserve the beautiful nature and hand it down to future generations through the joint participation by companies and groups.
This round of the activity was held at the Kaga and Noto districts with a total of 22 participants from Hokuriku Group who are employees or their family members.
While there were concerns that the intense heat this year might affect development of the satoyama (village forest), the forest has already taken on an autumn look without any significant damage.
"Pruning" of branches from the tree trunk was carried out at the Hakusan City Shiramine area as part of the work to nurture the trees.
This is an important task that needs to be performed before the onset of the snowfall season to prevent dead branches from covering the root of the trees, thereby resulting in an adverse impact on their growth.
After guidance was received from the organizer, the participants used a saw to cut off the branches carefully to prevent the large branches of trees that were planted 12 to 13 years ago from being attacked by wood-rotting fungi.
At the Hakui-gun, Shikamachi, Hiuchidani area, trees as well as wild grasses and flowers were planted, while hands-on workshops including fungi inoculation was held as an event for enjoying forestation.
Under the guidance of the organizer, the participants first engaged in planting of sawtooth oak trees by digging holes with a depth of 20cm and planting the saplings at 1m intervals.
As the sawtooth oak saplings are thin, they need to be staked until they are able to support themselves so that they would not be blown down by strong wind.
For planting of kinjiso (Okinawan spinach), the organizer offered advice to dig a relatively shallow hole and plant it slightly higher than ground level.
Next, participants harvested nameko mushrooms inoculated last year. Upon turning over the inoculated logs, they were found to be filled with nameko mushrooms. Participants then plucked the mushrooms with their hands.
Participants who saw the mushrooms shouted "this is fun!" and "there are some here too!" with excitement, and the harvesting baskets were full in no time.
This was followed by inoculation of nameko mushrooms for the next round of harvest. This was done by drilling a hole in 1m cherry trees and driving in the nameko mushroom spawn blocks with a wooden hammer.
The activity ended smoothly with the participants interacting with one another while enjoying mettajiru (miso soup with pork and vegetables) as with past events.
Family members of the participants commented that it was a very good opportunity as the children were able to engage in digging holes and planting trees which they do not get to experience in the city.
Meanwhile, others commented that their children who used to dislike mushrooms could now eat them after the nameko mushroom harvesting experience, and that the hands-on sessions have sparked an interest and they would like to take part in the activity again.
At the areas where the Ishikawa Forestation Project activities are carried out, participants get to see the gradual growth of the planted and maintained trees into a forest. In a few years' time, the participants will be able to see their effort being transformed into a bountiful satoyama (village forest).
NTT West Hokuriku Group will continue to help develop beautiful and bountiful satoyama (village forests) while working together with the local communities.
- Participating companies
- NTT West Hokuriku Regional Headquarters
NTT Fieldtechno
NTT Business Solutions
NTT Business Associe West
NTT Neomeit - Venue
- Hakusan City, Shiramine area: October 27 (Saturday)
Shikamachi, Hiuchidani area: November 3 (Saturday) - No. of participants
- 22
