WWD2013 Events in Japan

May 2013

Edited by Wetlands International Japan

Contents

Event title Wetland Name (*…Ramsar Site) Host page

1 The Wetland Walk of Midwinter,Snowshoe Hike in Sarobetsu Sarobetsu-genya* Nonprofit organization

Sarobetsu Eco Network 1

2Short Program Eco-tour

～Let’s Enjoy the Nature of Winter in Lake Utonai& Surrounds～

Utonai -ko (Lake Utonai)* Lake Utonai Wildlife ProtectionCenter (Tomakomai City) 2

3 World Wetlands Day Anniversary Event in Lake Utonai Utonai -ko (Lake Utonai)* Ministry of the EvironmentHokkaido Utonai Ranger Office 3

4 Winter Eco-Tour 2013 in Celebration of WWD Kushiro-shitsugen* Kushiro International WetlandCentre 4

5 World Wetlands Day Exhibit and Craft Corner Yatsu-higata* Narashino City,Yatsuhigata Nature Observation 5

6 Eco action on World Wetlands Day:Cleaning up the wetlands Yatsu-higata* Narashino City,

Yatsuhigata Nature Observation 6

7 Midagahara Walk and Nature Seminar TateyamaMidagahara

Conference of Tateyama & KurobeAlpine Rote tourism area 7

8 Katano Kamoike Wild Goose & Duck Festival Katano Kamoike* Kaga city，Kamoikekansatsukan Tomo no Kai 8

9 Yanami Mire Study SessionTokai Hilly LandSpring-fed Mires(YanamiMire)*

Toyota City 9

10 Biwa-ko Mass Bird Watching Event Biwa-ko* Biwa-ko Ramsar Network, OhmiEnvironment Conservation 10

11 Let’s Celebrate World Wetlands Day at Biwa-ko! Biwa-ko* Biwako Waterfowl & Wetland Center,Kohoku Wild-Bird Center 11

12 Nature Observation Event:Let’s Explore a Waterfowl Sanctuary! Nakaumi* Nakaumi Waterbird International

Exchange Fund Foundation 12

13 Eco Action on World Wetlands Day: Cleaning up the Wetlands Nakaumi* Nakaumi Waterbird InternationalExchange Fund Foundation 13

14 KODOMO Ramsar Club: “Let’s Make Clay Figurines of Wetland Wildlife!” Nakaumi* Nakaumi Waterbird International

Exchange Fund Foundation 14

15 KODOMO Ramsar Club:“Let’s Taste the Blessings of Nakaumi!” Nakaumi* Nakaumi Waterbird International

Exchange Fund Foundation 15

16 World Wetlands Day 2013 Exhibition Shinji-ko* Hoshizaki Green Foundation 16

17 Shinji-ko Green Park Waku waku GP Plaza:Activity 1 Shinji-ko* Hoshizaki Green Foundation 17

18 Shinji-ko Green Park Waku waku GP Plaza:Activity 2 Shinji-ko* Hoshizaki Green Foundation 17

19 Ramsar Convention Designation Memory Forum Miyajima (Miyajima Island)* Hatsukaichi City 18

20 Symposium Exploring the Wise Use of Arao-higata Arao-higata*

Kyushu Regional EnvironmentOffice　of Ministry of the

Environment, Council for Conservation and Wise

Use of Arao-higata

19

21 Eco Action on World Wetlands Day Manko* Manko Waterbird and Wetland center 20

22 Nature Observation Event at Nagura Amparu Nagura Amparu* Naha Nature Conservation Officeof Ministry of the Environment 21

23 Winter Beech Walk & Learn:Utasai Beech Forests and Water

Utasai-shitsugen andShubuto River system Kuromatsunai Town 22

1

Event name: The Wetland Walk of Midwinter, Snowshoe Hike in Sarobetsu Wetland name: Sarobetsu-genya Organizer: Nonprofit organization Sarobetsu Eco Network Co-organizer: Ministry of the Environment, Wakkanai nature conservation official office Reporter: Tsutomu Yoshihara (Sarobetsu Eco Network) Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Sarobetsu Wetland Center Outline: In celebration of World Wetlands Day, participants donned snowshoes and explored the Maruyama area of Toyotomi Town. There, they observed wild animal tracks in the snow, winter buds of trees and birds flitting throughout the forest. The large amount of tree cover makes this area unique to Sarobetsu-genya, and thus participants were lectured on how to identify different species. Furthermore, in order to enjoy nature to the fullest, they took part in a nature game as they strolled.

Nature observation in the forest Snow cover survey in Sarobetsu-genya

2

Event name: Short Program Eco-tour ～Let’s Enjoy the Nature of Winter in Lake Utonai & Surrounds～ Wetland name: Utonai-ko (Lake Utonai） Organizer: Lake Utonai Wildlife Protection Center (Tomakomai City) Co-organizer: Ministry of the Environment Reporter: Satoshi Nakamura (Wild Bird Society of Japan / WBSJ) Date: On weekends & holidays of February 2-24, 2013 Location: Lake Utonai Wildlife Protection Center, nature trails and surrounds. Outline: This eco-tour was held by a ranger of WBSJ and volunteers to track footprints of wild animals in the snow, and to watch swans on the lake.

Studying the wintering bud of a tree Watching swans

3

Event name: World Wetlands Day Anniversary Event in Lake Utonai Wetland name: Utonai-ko (Lake Utonai） Organizer: Ministry of the Evironment Hokkaido Utonai Ranger Office Co-organizer: Wild Bird Society of Japan, Tomakomai City Reporter: Naoe Taira Date: February 2-28, 2013 Location: Lake Utonai Wildlife Protection Center Outline: Posters were displayed and a quiz conducted about World Wetlands Day. The purpose of the posters was to improve understanding of what wetlands are and how they are important in every life. A quiz that is impossible to fill out if the challenger hasn’t read the posters was also organised. At the end of the event, 60 answer sheets were corrected despite fewer visitors in the winter season compared to other seasons. Another activity was the “AR diary relay,” a kind of blog written by park rangers of the Ministry of the Environment. (http://hokkaido.env.go.jp/blog/) Information on Japan’s Ramsar wetlands or national parks is provided to promote wetland conservation through raising awareness.

Poster display Quiz, prizes, message board and coverage of

the event by a newspaper of Tomakomai City

4

Event name: Winter Eco-Tour 2013 in Celebration of WWD Wetland name: Kushiro-shitsugen Organizer: Kushiro International Wetland Centre (KIWC) Reporter: Sayuri Saito, Technical Officer, KIWC Date: February 2, 2013 Location: Lake Toro (Shibecha town, Hokkaido) Outline: An eco-tour to Lake Toro in the Kushiro-shitsugen wetland was organized on WWD. A total of 24 people attended the tour, which included walking on the frozen lake surface. During the walk, group members paid attention to messages from nature left on the snow and ice, such as the footprints of Hokkaido Shika Deer and other wild animals as well as seeds from trees, and learned about the freezing process of the lake based on snow/ice cross sections and cracking. The ice on the lake was thick and strong enough to bear the people walking on it, while small fish were seen swimming in an open shallow area where hot spring water at 7°C flowed into a corner of the lake. After the walk, group members enjoyed tempura made from wakasagi smelt caught in the lake and reviewed their experiences of the outing. Participants came across Kushiro Wetland water in the three forms of ice, snow and water despite the freezing conditions, and also made a lot of new discoveries. The activity highlighted the theme of this year’s WWD: Wetlands take care of water.

Stroll on Lake Toro Observing spring water

5

Event Title： World Wetlands Day Exhibit and Craft Corner Wetland Name: Yatsu-higata Organizer: Narashino City, Yatsuhigata Nature Observation Center Reporter: Sayumi Isaka, Yatsuhigata Nature Observation Center Date: Februaru 1-March1, 2013 Location: Yatsuhigata nature observation center Outline: In order to raise awareness on World Wetlands Day, this year’s theme and the role that Yatsu-higata and other wetlands play, a hands-on exhibit in which everyday items illustrating those roles were presented. Participants also enjoyed making World Wetlands Day 2013 commemorative mascots in the Craft Corner as well.

Craft Corner: “Let’s make Tom, Tina and Ottie!”

Exhibits introducing World Wetlands Day and

the role of wetlands

Hands-on exhibit: “If a wetland were an

object…”

6

Event name: Eco Action on World Wetlands Day: Cleaning up the Wetlands Wetland name: Yatsu-higata Organizer: Narashino City, Yatsuhigata Nature Observation Center Reporter: Takeshi Kinoshita Date: February 1, 2013 Location: Yatsu-higata Outline: In celebration of World Wetlands Day, mass clean-ups were carried out in Yatsu-higata (Yatsu Tidal Flat) and other Ramsar Sites throughout Japan. Results were shared via the internet from reporting events in Yatsu, Fujimae-higata, Nakaumi and Manko. The rubbish collected was sorted and ranked, the results of which were presented at the events.

Collecting rubbish in the tidal flat With “lifestyles” as the theme, the rubbish was

sorted

Food packaging was most common Presenting activity reports to other wetland

sites

7

Event name: Midagahara Walk and Nature Seminar Wetland name: Tateyama Midagahara and Dainichidaira Organizer: Conference of Tateyama & Kurobe Alpine Rote tourism area Reporter: Industry & Tourism Division, Tateyama Town Office Date: July 1-2, 2012 Location: Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route Outline: 60 participants took part in this event, which was held in commemoration of the designation of Tateyama Midagahara and Dainichidaira as a Ramsar Site and to pray for the safety of climbers and tourists on the opening day of the summer season. Following a lecture on the Ramsar Site, participants were treated to a walk in Midagahara led by volunteer guides from the local group, “Tateyama Rindo-kai” and a storyteller explaining the nature and history of the region. There, they were able to take in the unique landscapes formed by alpine vegetation and the Gaki-no-ta Plateau with its myriad ponds Day 1 Tateyama Summer Season Opening Ceremony; “The charm of Tateyama Midagahara and Dainichidaira” lecture; Visit to National Training Institute of Mountain Climbing; Lunch; Shomyo Waterfall, Miadagahara trek and nature observation event; Spring of Kobo Daishi and Midagahara walk; Dinner; “ Tomoka Tateyama Songs from the Heart” Concert; Evening of Mandala illustration (representing the Buddhist universe) storytelling, etc. Day 2 Participants selected from the following courses: Murodo and surrounds walk; Tateyama pilgrimage climb; Photographic viewpoints

Wooden walkway in Midagahara Observing the ponds in the Gaki-no-ta Plateau

8

Event name: Katano Kamoike Wild Goose & Duck Festival Wetland name: Katano Kamoike Organizer: Kaga city，Kamoikekansatsukan Tomo no Kai Reporter: Yoshiyasu Yamamura Date: February 24, 2012 Location: Kaga City Kamoike Observation Centre Outline: In celebration of the 20th anniversary of Ramsar Site designation, a variety of activities were organized at Katano Kamoike. Under the theme, “Let’s enjoy and learn about Japan’s smallest Ramsar Site!”, a commemorative lecture, craft classes on duck whistles and paper crafts of the mascot Tomoe and Saka-ami lessons coincided with an exhibit on Japan’s Ramsar Sites and biodiversity conservation, all of which were well received. During the festivities, rice balls and biscuits made from rice harvested by means of the “Fuyumizu-tambo” technique, which provides feeding grounds for migratory geese and ducks were sold. As a result, understanding of the various activities protecting geese and ducks was deepened. Attracting approximately 300 participants, the event was a huge success.

Saka-ami lessons: A participant grasps a

saka-ami net. Saka-ami is a traditional form of

hunting passed down since feudal times. A

Y-shaped net resembling a lacrosse stick is

hoisted into the air to catch game. As birds are

not captured en masse, this technique is

considered sustainable. Saka-ami hunters also

take part in maintaining the underbrush and

trees of the surrounding woods and other

conservation activities.

Duck whistle making: Whistles were made

using PVC piping. Children enthusiastically

took part in making the whistles, which

sound identical to ducks.

9

Event Title: Yanami Mire Study Session Wetland name: Tokai Hilly Land Spring-fed Mires (YanamiMire) Organizer: Toyota City Co-organizer: Yanamisittihozonnkai Toyotasisizennaigokyoukai ToyotaCityNatureSanctuary Reporter: Toyota City EnvironmentalPolicyDivision Tsuyoshi Kuroda Date: February 2, 2013 Location: Tokai Hilly Land Spring-fed Mires (YanamiMire) Outline: In this event, children from Yanami Elementary School, Toyota City, home of the Yanami Mire took part in the conservation of this precious local wetland. The children cut and removed dead grass from the mire, together with members of a local conservation group. In doing so, eutrophication of the mire was prevented and its unique vegetation allowed to flourish. After the activity, participants warmed their cold hands and bodies with steaming pork soup prepared by the conservation group, and got to know each other better.

Full view of Yanami Mire (Spring) Wetland observation event (Autumn)

Conservation activity Following the work

10

Event Name: Biwa-ko Mass Bird Watching Event Wetland name: Biwa-ko Organizer： Biwako Ramsar Network, Ohmi Environment Conservation Foundation Co-organizer: Higashiomi City Notogawa Museum, Omihachiman Citizen’s Nature Observation Group, Shonakano-ko Local Environment Conservation Group, Shiga Nature Conservation and a Learning Network Reporter: Tomohiro Horiike, Biwako Ramsar Network Date: February 2-3, 2013 Location: Zeze-jo Castle Ruins, Nishino-ko, Iba-naiko, Karasuma Peninsula, The estuary of the Inugami River Estury, Kohoku Wild-bird, Makino Sunny Beach, Shin Asahi Waterfowl Centre Outline: In this event, observing the wintering waterfowl at the Ramsar Site Biwa-ko provided opportunities to ponder the wonders of nature, the beauty of Biwa-ko and the importance of wildlife. Most prevalent were the familiar tufted duck and the Eurasian coot, which has increased in numbers in recent years. Also sighted was the prefectural bird, the little grebe and the popular smew, also known as the “panda duck”, among numerous others. Approximately 300 people from beginners to experts took part in this 2-day event, enjoying all that nature has to offer. It is hoped that in realizing that there are many types of waterfowl in Biwa-ko, people will think more about the importance of nature conservation.

Observing the “panda duck” and other waterfowl on the west shore

Observing waterfowl resting on a distant pier

Wrap up following the event Observing intently with the help of guides

11

Event title: Let’s Celebrate World Wetlands Day at Biwa-ko! Wetland Name: Biwa-ko Organizer: Biwako Waterfowl & Wetland Center, Kohoku Wild-Bird Center Co-organizer: Nagahama Amenity Panel, Nagahama City Reporter: Jun Ueda (Biwako Waterfowl & Wetland Center, Kohoku Wild-Bird Center) Date: February 3, 2013 Location: Biwako Waterfowl & Wetland Center, Kohoku Wild-Bird Center Outline: This event was a celebration of World Wetlands Day that was held in conjunction with the Mass Bird Watching event co-organized with Shiga Prefecture. Marking the 20th anniversary of Ramsar Site designation, lectures from a panelist of 3 people with close ties to Biwa-ko were presented. Please refer to the links below for more information (in Japanese): Center blog http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/kohokunio/31512782.html WWD Report http://homepage2.nifty.com/Larus/WWD2013inKohokuJ.htm

Bird watching near the Center World Wetlands Day Corner

*This event has also been reported individually to the Ramsar Secretariat.

12

Event Title: Nature Observation Event: Let’s Explore a Waterfowl Sanctuary! Wetland Name: Nakaumi Organizer: Nakaumi Waterbird International Exchange Fund Foundation Reporter: Keisuke Kirihara Date: February 9, 2013 Location: Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary Oustile: In this event, participants were treated to an interpretive tour of the Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary, which as a protected site usually has restricted entry. Sanctuary staff commented on local wildlife as participants traveled to and from an observation hut to observe waterfowl. Children had fun collecting feathers, and were thrilled when finding one from the water rail (Rallus aquaticus). 3 adults, 7 elementary schoolchildren and 1 pre-school child took part.

Observing birds from the observation hut Children collecting feathers near the hut

Observing the birds of Nakaumi Group photo

13

Event Title: Eco Action on World Wetlands Day: Cleaning up the Wetlands Wetland Name: Nakaumi Organizer: Nakaumi Waterbird International Exchange Fund Foundation Reporter: Kaname Kamiya Date: February 11, 2013 Location: Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary Outline: Mass clean ups were held together with other Ramsar Sites in Japan that Nakaumi had previously carried out wetland exchanges with. Results of the efforts were then shared with the other sites via Skype, thus deepening ties between the wetlands.

Participating wetlands

Nakaumi (Tottori), Shinji-ko (Shimane), Yatsu-higata (Chiba), Fujimae-higata (Aichi), Manko

(Okinawa)

Children collecting rubbish on the lakeshore Children sort the rubbish

Enough rubbish to fill a small truck was collected Skype exchange

14

Event Title: KODOMO Ramsar Club: “Let’s Make Clay Figurines of Wetland Wildlife!” Wetland Name: Nakaumi Organizer: Nakaumi Waterbird International Exchange Fund Foundation Reporter: Keisuke Kirihara Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary Outline: For the 11th gathering of the KODOMO Ramsar Club, in which children get together monthly to observe nature, members made clay figurines of wildlife they have encountered to date. First, they sketched front, side and top views of organisms, which were then used as plans for the figurines. Paints were blended into paper clay to add color to the children’s favorite wetland creatures. 7 adults, 19 elementary schoolchildren and 5 pre-school children took part.

Creating a plan Making a tufted duck

Party showcasing finished creations Group photo

15

Event Title: KODOMO Ramsar Club: “Let’s Taste the Blessings of Nakaumi!” Wetland Name: Nakaumi Organizer: Nakaumi Waterbird International Exchange Fund Foundation Reporter: Keisuke Kirihara Date: February 17, 2013 Location: Yonago Waterbird Sanctuary Outline: A menu of 4 dishes was created using ingredients linked to Nakaumi. Dishes included paella made with sea bass and ark shell, grilled sea bass, ark shell miso soup and fried lake prawns. Following the meal, the children learned about the establishment of the Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary, food chains and the Nakaumi environment. 3 adults, and 3 children took part.

Cooking ark shells Menu of seafood caught from Nakaumi

Let’s taste the blessings of Nakaumi Group photo

16

Event Title: World Wetlands Day 2013 Exhibition Wetland name: Shinji-ko Organizer: Hoshizaki Green Foundation Reporter: Yoko Adachi Date: February 8 to April 1, 2013 Location: Shinjiko Green Park Outline: An exhibition was held on the World Wetlands Day 2013 theme of “Wetlands take care of water.”

Panel explaining the Ramsar Convention

definition of wetlands, roles of wetland

management and water-related issues

The “water footprints” of some foods

17

Event Title: Shinji-ko Green Park Waku waku GP Plaza: Activity 1 Wetland Name: Shinji-ko Organizer: Hoshizaki Green Foundation Reporter: Yoko Adachi Date: February 8 to April 1, 2013 Location: Shinjiko Green Park Outline: In this event, bird mascots were made of fabric.

Finished mascot Finished mascot

Event Title: Shinji-ko Green Park Waku waku GP Plaza: Activity 2 Wetland Name: Shinji-ko Organizer: Hoshizaki Green Foundation Reporter: Yoko Adachi Date: March 3, 2013 Location: Shinjiko Green Park Outline: For this event, mini blinds were made of Phragmites reeds harvested from the shores of Shinji-ko.

Explaining the difference between Amur

silver grass and Phragmites

Making blinds under the guidance of Green

Park volunteers

18

Event name: Ramsar Convention Designation Memory Forum Wetland name: Miyajima (Miyajima Island) Organizer: Hatsukaichi City Co-organizer: Ministry of the Environment, Hiroshima Prefecture Reporter: Hatsukaichi City Date: November 23, 2012 Location: Miyajima Elementary School Gymnasium Outline: Keynote speeches and panel discussions were held to commemorate the designation of Miyajima Island as a Ramsar Site. Keynote speeches were given by Mr. Masayuki Morishige and Mr. Mitsuru Sakamoto. Lecturer Morishige, Associate Professor at Hannan University International Tourism Department, gave a speech on the “Maintenance of ecotourism activities of environmental resources in Ramsar Sites”. Later, lecturer Sakamoto, Chairperson of Miayjima Dragonfly Protection Management Communication Meeting, gave a speech on “Reasons for the survival of Miyajima Dragonflies on Miyajima Island”. Later, 5 specialists joined the panel discussion along with guest speakers from the keynote speeches as panelists. They were invited to discuss “The Management and Utilization of the Ramsar Site – Miyajima Island” and were asked to give opinions on how to integrate nature resource management with tourism and how to educate the torchbearers of nature resource management from different standpoints. After the forum, s sunset cruise was organized to invite specialists and participants to conduct a site observation on board.

Panel discussion Miyajima Dragonflies （Photo by Hatsukaichi City)

19

Event Title: Symposium Exploring the Wise Use of Arao-higata Wetland name: Arao-higata Organizer: Kyushu Regional Environment Office, Ministry of the Environment Council for Conservation and Wise Use of Arao-higata Cooperator: Ramsar Center Japan Reporter: Kazuya Nakayama (Arao City) Date: February 2, 2013 Location: City Hall (Arao City Mall 2F) Outline: Following the designation of Arao-higata as a Ramsar Site in July, 2012, a symposium was held inviting the public and other stakeholders to explore how the tidal flat should be conserved and used into the future programme. ●Lecture： 1. “The aims of the Ramsar Convention 2. “The value and tidal flat wildlife of the Ariake Sea ●Reports from Ramsar Sites throughout Japan 1.“Use and conservation of Furen-ko” Furen-ko Influent Rivers Association – Hokkaido 2. “Local participation and the Manko Waterbird and Wetland Center” Naha City Environmental Conservation Division ●Special report from children “Participating in KODOMO Ramsar (Fujimae-higata) for ESD” 6th graders of Araodaiichi Elementary School, Arao City ●Panel discussion

Symposium floor Panelists

20

Event Title: Eco Action on World Wetlands Day Wetland name: Manko Organizer: Manko Waterbird and Wetland center Co-organizer: Yatsuhigata Nature Observation Center, Fujimae Active Center, Yonago Waterbirds Sanctuary Reporter: Yukio Uehara Date: February 11, 2013 Location: Manko Waterbird and Wetland center Outline: Mass clean ups were carried out at various Ramsar Sites. Results were then shared with the other sites in an exchange, leading to the strengthening of ties. （写真挿入枠）

Clean up participants Web conference

21

Event Title: Nature Observation Event at Nagura Amparu Wetland Name: Nagura Amparu Organizer: Naha Nature Conservation Office of Ministry of the Environment Reporter: Ishigaki Ranger Office Date: February 10, 2013 Location: Nagura amparu in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Outline: With cooperation from the Wild Bird Society of Japan Ishigaki Island Branch and park volunteers from Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park, participants were introduced to mangrove forests, benthos organisms in tidal flats and migratory waterfowl. 21 people took part.

Observing benthos organisms Bird watching

22

Event Title: Winter Beech Walk & Learn: Utasai Beech Forests and Water Wetland Name: Utasai-shitsugen and Shubuto River system Organizer: Kuromatsunai Town Co-organizer: Beech Center, Utasai Nature House Reporter: Northern Limit of Beech Tourism Date: Februaruy 2, 2013 Location: Wetlands surrounding the Utasai Beech Forest Outline: Kuromatsunai Town lies in a satoyama region blessed with the water resources that are the crystal clear waters of the Shubuto River, Utasai-shitsugen (one of the oldest mires in Hokkaido) and the “green dam” that is the beech forest at its northern limit that holds vast quantities of rain and snowmelt – all on its doorstep. This event was organized so participants could ponder the importance of water while exploring the snow covered mire and forest on snowshoe and searching for birds and animal tracks in the snow. • 23 locals and visitors took part • Participants observed the winter buds of beech,

magnolia, hydrangea, viburnum and other trees, searched the snow for tracks of the Hokkaido squirrel, and watched for willow tits, Eurasian jays and other birds.

• Afterwards, everyone was treated to a “World Wetlands Day Special Lunch” of stew, buckwheat noodles and tofu made from locally sourced ingredients.

• In the wrap up that followed, understanding of the Ramsar Convention, World Wetlands Day and wetland conservation was deepened. Comments made included, “I want to come back when the skunk cabbage are in bloom” and “I want to see the fireflies in summer”.

Wrap up following lunch Group photo

Specialist from the Beech Center

explains about alder trees