Shirakami 3 | NICE-25S-0613A | 2025-06-13 - 2025-06-23 | ENVI,FEST | Age: 18 - 99

This project is actively working for SDG13 (Climate Action) and SDGs 15 (Life on Land), organized together with Shirakami Mountains Preservation Society (SMPS) since 2006. The Shirakami Mountains is one of Japanese valuable preserved natural forests consisting primarily of beech trees, registered as a World Natural Heritage in 1993. SMPS aims to preserve the natural beauty of the Shirakami Mountains by nurturing seedlings of beech trees, planting them, training mountain guide, etc. SMPS hosts tree-planting ceremony every June for preserving and promoting the value of it. They also preserve the forests near the Mutsu-bay, famous as production of scallops. Due to climate change, the sea water temperature increased abnormally and the most of scallops were dead. So SMPS started to preserve the forest there to let nutrient water flow to the ocean.

Work: Assisting in the preparation (preparation of saplings and tools, setting up tents, etc.) and operation of tree planting festivals in two locations in Aomori Prefecture (Ajigasawa and Hiranai). On the day of the festival, many participants, local students to those from all over the country, will gather to plant trees. 1) Preparing a beech nursery and organize a tool shed. 2) Preparation and operation of the tree-planting festival in Hiranai on June 15. 3) Preparation and operation for the tree-planting festival of SMPS in Ajigasawa on June 22.

Accomodation and food: Shared room in school dormitory. Sleeping bag is needed! Meals will be cooked by volunteers by turns.

Location: Aomori

Location and Leisure: Volunteers will work in Ajigasawa town and Hiranai town in Aomori prefecture. Aomori is located on the northernmost tip of Honshu Island. Shirakami Mountains located in southwest and the Mutsu-bay nestles between the eastern Shimokita and western Tsugaru Peninsulas. Other activities - Enjoy rich nature around accommodation, taking a walk at morning, hot spring, etc.

Train/Bus station: The nearest international airport is Tokyo (NRT or HND) from which it takes 7 hours by bullet train and local train or 10 hours by night bus and local train to the meeting point in Aomori pref. Vols. need to arrive at NRT or HND by 18:00 on Jun. 12 and can leave there after 22:00 on Jun. 23. It is better to book flight on or after June 24.

Requirements: Volunteers should prepare to work hard outside in good and bad weather and have high motivation for work in the forests actively with local people. Language - English (Japanese is also welcomed!)

Language: eng

Extra Fee: 0 JPY

Study theme - Volunteers will get knowledge of history and culture of Shirakami-Sanchi World Heritage, and skills of conservation forests in Japan. Participation fee - 9,000 JPY (54 EUR by the rate on 2024 Nov. 2nd) of NICE Volunteers fee need to be paid in advance either by Card or PayPal. This is used for the project preparation/ coordination such as the transportation of the camp leaders while the meals and the accommodation are provided by the local host by free. Other - None