'Acorn Group' Educates by Replanting Trees

"When we take a tree from the forest, let us plant another in its place." This is the idea that led in 1981 to the creation of the Donguri-no-Kai (Acorn Group), associated with Oak Village, a Japanese company producing quality wooden furniture and goods. In 2001 the group reorganized itself as a registered non-profit organization and has been working to restore forests to demonstrate gratitude and respect for the Earth. The organization plants oak trees and uses the slogan "One acorn, One child."

The process begins with an acorn. The acorn is planted and cared for in a nursery bed in Tokyo or Kiyomi village in Gifu Prefecture until becoming a young sapling. The Acorn Group members take care of the young saplings by watering and weeding. They then plant them in the mountains in the spring. In the mountains, areas around the saplings are weeded so that the saplings grow into big oak trees. Saplings are tended until they become taller than natural groundcover. In the autumn, members go into the forest to collect acorns, which are then nurtured for future planting.

Through these actions, the Acorn Group welcomes everyone to participate in revitalizing the forest ecosystem. These activities have also become an effective educational program for children, who will be responsible for the future, to understand and respect the Earth.



Posted: 2003/11/14 10:36:57 AM
Japanese version