Survey Shows Increasing Diversity in Forest Volunteer Activities

The Japanese Forestry Agency released the results of a questionnaire survey on afforestation and forest management activities on April 14, 2004. The survey, the third of its kind after those conducted in fiscal 1997 and 2000, covered 1,165 forest volunteer groups, of which 76 percent responded. As public concern about the state of forests in Japan grows, a rising number of volunteers are joining groups to care for and enjoy the forests.

The results indicated that main objectives of the forest activities are becoming increasingly diverse. The objectives include maintenance and conservation of nearby woodlands (called "satoyama" in Japan) (59%), environmental education (45%), raising awareness about forests (38%), and community-development and the promotion of exchanges between cities and mountain villages (35%).

Respondents saying that they have concluded "an agreement" with forest owners accounted for 24 percent, a sharp increase from 12 percent recorded in the previous survey, and those with "a work contract" rose from 3 percent to 8 percent. These results indicated that an increasing number of forest volunteer groups are carrying out their activities under a formal agreement or contract with forest owners.

The agency plans to make use of the latest findings to understand the current situation of forest volunteer groups' activities and formulate future policies.



Posted: 2004/06/18 02:18:22 PM
Japanese version