People-to-People Network Linking Cities with Forests

A citizens' group, the MORI-MORI Network, has been active in promoting exchanges between cities and mountain villages through forests and forestry. Their representative, Ms. Mutsuko Yamagata, offers the use of part of her farm in Tochigi Prefecture for the network's activities.

More and more people have recently come to value nature such as green spaces and water, in contrast to the functionality-oriented urban living environment. Some have started to turn their attention to mountain villages. Seeking spiritual wealth over material affluence, urban dwellers are increasingly interested in forests. On the other hand, they seldom think about those who are engaged in forest maintenance. In this context, the MORI-MORI Network was established in 1996 to establish a link between mountain and city residents. [Trans. Note: "Mori" means "forest," and "mori-mori" means "healthy excitement" in Japanese.]

In a tree-planting festival at the Yamagata Farm, participants from cities plant seedlings they have grown at home. They also learn forest management practices from foresters and experience the operations necessary for growing forests, such as clearing underbrush and pruning trees. About 100 people, including children, participate in the festival every year, and citizens from different parts of the country become acquainted with each other.

The MORI-MORI Network plans to conduct a survey on the daily lives and attitudes of people in cities and mountain villages, in order to understand the realities of these two groups. The network also hopes to clarify future problems related to the aging society and offer some solutions. It says, "21st century-type forest management cannot be created without the proactive participation of residents of both urban and mountainous areas."




Posted: 2004/01/28 09:19:32 AM
Japanese version