On May 22, 2025, the International Symposium “Nature, Culture, and Community: Rethinking Urban Connections from Kanazawa” took place at the Kanazawa Bunka Hall. As cities around the world continue to grow and evolve, the interconnections between nature, culture, and community are increasingly central to shaping sustainable urban futures. This symposium brought together local and international experts, as well as city representatives, to explore innovative approaches to urban ecosystem regeneration while respecting and celebrating cultural heritage.

The event began with opening remarks from Takashi Murayama (Mayor of Kanazawa City).

Keynote speeches followed, featuring:

• Yulia Rubleva (Associate Programme Management Officer, Urban Nature, UNEP)
• Ingrid Coetzee (Director, Biodiversity, Nature & Health, ICLEI Africa
• Wataru Suzuki (Director, Biodiversity Strategy Office, MOEJ)

Rubleva presented on “Urban Nature for People and Planet:  Restoring Ecosystems, Rebuilding Community”, and emphasized the growing recognition of nature’s critical role in building healthy, resilient cities. She stressed the importance of reconnecting cities with nature – not just for aesthetic value, but for their capacity to sustain life, foster culture and strengthen communities in this changing world.

Next, Coetzee presented on “Nature contributing to wellbeing, resilience, and connectivity in cities”, and showcased examples of urban initiatives that reflect strong links between ecological and human wellbeing, understanding the importance of partnerships and active community engagement.  

Suzuki discussed “Cities for a society harmony with nature,” highlighting that Kanazawa has historically coexisted with nature. He emphasized that to restore biodiversity, it is necessary to simultaneously promote green conservation and restoration, climate change countermeasures, sustainable production, and consumption reduction. He also offered valuable insights connecting global, national, and local levels – from the implementation of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), to Japan’s new national biodiversity strategy, and concrete applications of Nature-based Solutions at the local level.

The second half of the symposium featured a panel discussion moderated by Togo Uchida (Executive Director, ICLEI Japan), with contributions from:

• Dzheylan Safet Karaulan Sozuer (Architect & Urban Designer and Strategy Development & Program Coordinator, Istanbul, Türkiye)
• Anthony Paul Diaz (Superintendent/Director, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle, USA)
• Francois Moreau (Head of Urban Ecology Agency, Paris, France)
• Kimberley Anne Statham (Director, Urban Forestry, Toronto, Canada)
• Laura Hernandez Rosas (Coordinator of Biodiversity Strategies, Mexico City, Mexico)
• Judith A. Oluoch (Kisumu County Executive Committee Member-Minister, Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources, Kisumu, Kenya)
• Juan Pastor-Ivars (UNU-IAS OUIK, Researcher, Kanazawa, Japan)
• Tetsuhiro Ikeda (Kanazawa City Culture and Sports Bureau, Cultural Property Protection Division, Kanazawa, Japan)

The panel theme was “Community-Led Urban Regeneration: Culture, Nature, and Global Perspectives.” Panelists shared case studies from their cities:

• Istanbul is advancing urban rewilding projects.
• Seattle is engaging community volunteers in nature restoration.
• Paris is ongoing the greening of the city hall square.
• Toronto approaches biodiversity restoration through reconciliation with indigenous communities.
• Mexico City is promoting the development and protection of urban nature through networks, women’s leadership, and community engagement.
• Kisumu community-driven efforts are supporting the recovery of Lake Victoria.
• Kanazawa contributes to ecosystem preservation through its water canals and garden systems, while promoting traditional knowledge and community efforts.

In the panel discussion, panelists – having participated in the pre-symposium site visits and workshops in Kanazawa, shared key takeaways and reflections on what they had learned and experienced. They spoke about the insights and inspirations they hoped to bring back to their own cities and contexts. The panelists praised Kanazawa’s unique water system and community lead fireflies conservation activities. The panelists also shared their challenges their cities are facing such as extreme heat, flooding, harmful pesticides, lake pollution and difficulties in securing funds. The panelists emphasized adopting a nature-based solution as well as increasing green and blue infrastructure would be the key to building a sustainable urban city. The discussion concluded that while each city has different challenges, community participation is critical to addressing biodiversity.

To conclude the symposium, Shinobu Yamaguchi, Director of UNU-IAS, emphasized that urban ecosystem restoration is fundamentally about people’s involvement – nature thrives when people are engaged. Referring to the examples shared by panelists, she remarked that restoring ecosystems also means restoring relationships – between people and place, between past and future, and among the diverse communities who share the same urban space.

The symposium was co-hosted by UNU-IAS OUIK, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ), Kanazawa city. It was supported by United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) Japan, Ishikawa Prefecture, The Hokkoku Shimbun. 

For more information, please watch the following video (recording of the symposium). 

https://youtu.be/-VF5AGQILqQ

※Related article: Cities Share Solutions for Reconnecting with Nature & Culture | United Nations University

OUIK is mapping information for understanding the relationship between regional nature and culture. We have published the booklets “Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi Maps” and “Kanazawa Nature and Culture Maps”.
We are collecting map information at different levels of prefectures and municipalities in the Hokuriku Region. With a focus on the keywords of biological diversity, cultural diversity and ecosystem service, we are creating tools for learning and information dissemination that meet regional needs.

Preparations for releasing the crested ibis on the Noto Peninsula in 2026 have been underway since before the earthquake. Following the earthquake and the heavy rain of 2024, the release of these birds is expected to symbolize the region’s recovery of satoyama and satoumi. However, since the situation in Noto still remains difficult, it is important that the project be carried out as a sustainable initiative that meets the wishes and current conditions of the local communities.
The Noto GIAHS (Global Important Agricultural Heritage Systems) Biodiversity Working Group has been developing a mechanism for citizen-participatory surveys of living creatures and implementing them with local residents. From June 13 to 16, 2025, eight members of the working group visited Sado to learn about citizen-participatory surveys of living creatures and efforts to release ibises that have been conducted on the island for many years.
The release of crested ibises began in Sado in 2008, and the population now exceeds 500. Additionally, the “Toki to kurasu sato” certification program, which promotes rice production friendly to living creatures, as well as surveys of living creatures in rice paddies, conducted in collaboration with farmers and children, are implemented as ongoing community-rooted activities. We visited Sado to learn about its efforts and apply them to future sustainable biodiversity conservation and local revitalization in Noto.

Learning from the Sado Ranger Office, Ministry of the Environment, and Sado Japanese Crested Ibis Conservation Center, Niigata Prefecture

Mr. Takashi Kitahashi and Ms. Kanako Ikikame from the Ministry of the Environment, as well as Mr. Takashi Oya and Ms. Kiyoko Inoue from Niigata Prefecture, shared the story of breeding and training of crested ibises prior to their release. At the pre-release training facility, we learned how to acclimate the birds to people and agricultural machinery, as well as the measures taken against predators. We were also shown the remote monitoring system for the breeding cages. It was impressive to see the Ministry of the Environment and Niigata Prefecture work closely together in the same facility which reaffirmed the importance of collaboration among the national government, local governments, universities, and the private sector.

Discussion with Prof. Mitsuyo Toyoda

Professor Mitsuyo Toyoda from Sado Island Center for Ecological Sustainability Office for Community Design, Niigata University, introduced the efforts made on Sado to build consensus among residents and support their activities. Although some fishers from Lake Kamo where the Tenno River flows into, expressed their opposition regarding the nature restoration of the river, through neutral facilitation and careful discussions, they have reached a consensus and are now working together to create reed beds at Lake Kamo and provide environmental education for children. Their story of building a good relationship through consensus building was impressive. We realized the importance of taking a sociological approach, like Professor Toyoda’s, to carry out nature restoration efforts, such as returning the crested ibis to the wild. This approach connects various stakeholders, such as the government and citizens, and carefully picks up the voices of local residents.

Visit to the Tenno River Nature Restoration Site

Institute for Sado Ikimonogatari : Learning from Creature Survey Efforts

First, the Institute for Sado Ikimonogatari arranged for us to participate in one of the twice-yearly (June and August) surveys of creatures, which is one of the requirements for “Toki to kurasu sato” certified rice. We participated in the June survey by the Nagaune Producer’s Association, Agricultural Cooperative which has produced certified rice since the inception of the certification system. Despite the drizzle, many residents, including children, gathered to search for living creatures. We easily found loaches, tadpoles, frogs, dragonfly larvae, and many other creatures. From a distance, crested ibises searching for food could be seen in the neighboring rice paddy.
The next day, we interviewed Mr. Katsumi Oi and Dr. Asami Oishi from the institute about their work. They showed us their original illustrated field guide “Illustrated field guide of creatures in Sado paddies” and shared with us their challenges and the living creature surveys they have been conducting with farmers and children. Although they have not been able to make full use of the data they collected on the creatures, they mentioned that they are valuing the experience of getting to know the creatures more than the data itself. They also shared that the institute is facing challenges to continue its activities due to budget cuts and other factors. We were reminded of the need for sustainable organizational management and the difficulties involved.

Learning from Saito Farm’s Practices

Under the guidance of Mr. Shinichiro Saito, we visited the “Toki to kurasu sato” certified rice paddies. We learned about the various efforts they have made to create rice paddies for the crested ibis. These efforts include paddies where rice paddy art has been created for the past nine years, as well as naturally cultivated rice paddies, farmed without any fertilizer or pesticides, where fishways and ditches have been created, and where weeding is being experimented with using a duck robot.
We learn that the “Fuyumizu tambo” (winter-flooded rice paddies), which originated on the Pacific Ocean side of Japan, are not suited to the environment of Sado on the Japan Seaside, which has high levels of precipitation. He mentioned that it is better to keep the water level low, just enough for it to accumulate in the wheel tracks. This benefits both the quality of the rice and the crested ibis, which has short legs. Mr. Saito’s trial-and-error experience will be very helpful for Noto, which has a similar climate to Sado.
Mr. Saito said, “Efforts will not last long if we only provide economic incentives to farmers.” He emphasized the importance of fostering farmers’ interest in living creatures and crested ibises.

Discussion with Sado City Representative

First, we spoke with Mr. Koichiro Takano, former mayor, and Mr. Takayuki Nishimaki, who was in charge of branding and sales channel development for ibis rice at the time. They told us about the background of the decision to release the ibis on Sado and their rice branding efforts. We learnt that the decision to release the crested ibis was made during a time when Sado rice was severely damaged by a heat wave caused by a typhoon. This event also coincided with a significant turning point in the merging of municipalities. It was impressed by what they said about the importance of cooperating with JA (the Japan Agricultural Cooperatives) to realize branded rice in that situation.
Next, Mr. Nagao Nakamura, Mr. Kazuki Yamamoto, and Ms. Mako Igarashi from the Agricultural Policy Division of the Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Department introduced the status of certified rice distribution and their collaboration with Coop Deli. They also introduced educational activities for children through the “Sado Kids Living Creatures Survey Team” conducted in cooperation with the Institute for Sado Ikimonogatari. Also, they introduced the efforts being made to provide certified rice in the school lunches.
More than 30 children participate in the “Sado Kids Living Creatures Survey Team” every year. They also introduced a case of a child who participated in this program became a city officer and now actively working in the community. This drew attention to the program as an effort to nurture the next generation and foster a sense of community attachment. Additionally, with regard to securing human resources to serve as instructors for the survey of living creatures, they mentioned about the instructor system implemented more than 10 years ago. Such a system seems effective in developing human resources, as those who participated in it are still active as instructors.

Lastly, we interviewed Mayor Ryugo Watanabe. He introduced the long history of efforts to release the crested ibis and branding of the certified rice. Sado Koshihikari rice is already a popular brand and is in high demand. For this reason, “Toki to kurasu sato” certified rice, which further incorporates farming methods that nurture living creatures, is sometimes sold under the name Sado Koshihikari to meet the demand for the latter. Therefore, in these cases, farmers are not fully compensated for their additional efforts. For this reason, Sado City is now promoting the sale of the certified rice through hometown tax payments. The mayor also emphasized the importance of engaging in careful dialogue and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, including the JA and farmers.

During this visit to Sado, we experienced the wide range of efforts to return the crested ibis to the wild, as well as the passion of those who support these efforts. We believe that their experience on Sado is very important to us in Noto as we move forward on our journey to release the birds, coexist with nature, and maintain agriculture in the region. As we make progress towards recovery, we hope to work together with local people to think about a better relationship between people and nature.

This study visit was partially supported by the Taisei Corporation Public Trust of Funds for Natural and Historic Environment.

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Five years have passed since “Noto’s Satoyama and Satoumi” was designated as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS) by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). OUIK has supported the revision of action plans and monitoring activities after the GIAHS designation.

Biodiversity monitoring activities in Noto, which are carried out in an area that encompasses four cities and five towns, focus on surveys of living creatures conducted independently by municipal governments and private organizations; a unified monitoring system to disseminate information related to biodiversity has not yet been developed.

In response to this situation, “Noto Biodiversity Society” was established by OUIK and Kanazawa University Satoyama-satoumi Project to contribute to Noto GIAHS through monitoring of biodiversity and related activities. The members of this society include people who belong to private organizations that promote the preservation of biodiversity and environmental education in the region, as well as researchers working in laboratories related to biodiversity in Noto.

On January 23, we announced the establishment at a meeting of Noto GIAHS Utilization Executive Committee and Noto GIAHS Promotion Council, in which OUIK participates as an observer. Through surveys of living creatures and related activities, the society will contribute to the preservation and monitoring of biodiversity and dissemination of information, in cooperation with the Council.

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The book introduces unique roles and teachings of Japanese Gardens in Kanazawa City in a relation with human society and it is breaking new ground for Kanazawa’s sustainable future. 

After one year since the 1st Asian Conference on Biocultural Diversity, a series of 2 inernational forums were held to explore the measurements to further promote the Ishikawa Declaration with international initiatives and East Asian partner. 

International Forum Series 1 (4/10/2017)

Biocultural diversity & satoyama: Effort towards societies in harmony with nature around the world.

International Forum Series 2 (15/10/2017)

Preserving Biocultural Diversity for Future Generations:Partnarship of East Aisan Countries. 

From January 1, 2016 until 2030, United Nations adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs), with 17 goals and 169 targets, to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. These goals are applied to all countries and regions, and for the next 15 years they will be the critical tools in the dialogs to solve environmental, economic and social issues. Youth capacity development towards those issues will be essential to ensure the successful achievements of those goals. This Workshop is jointly created by Kanazawa University and United Nations University, and it aims to create the platform for the younger generations to come together and deepen the discussions on SDGs and share the regional issues.

On June 27, 2025, the United Nations University Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability (UNU-IAS OUIK) conducted a citizen-participatory firefly survey in the Kikugawa area of Kanazawa City. This activity was part of OUIK’s SUN Project (Sustainable Urban Nature Project) and was co-hosted with the Kikugawa Community Center.

Prior to the survey, Mr. Mitsuhide Shinmura (Chairman of the Kanazawa Firefly Society, Secretary-General of the Ishikawa Firefly Society), gave a lecture. Drawing on his many years of experience in firefly conservation in Kanazawa, he explained in detail about the ecology of fireflies, the conditions of their habitats, and the importance of community-based conservation activities. He mentioned, “Fireflies symbolize the richness of urban nature. Water channels and gardens remaining in the community support the habitats of fireflies.”

Following his talk, Researcher Juan from OUIK explained the significance of “biodiversity” and “biocultural diversity” in urban environments. He introduced how familiar natural settings like water channels and gardens in Kanazawa are deeply connected to cultural practices, emphasizing that protecting and nurturing such urban nature contributes to regional sustainability.

A lecture on Fireflies and Biodiversity was held prior to the Firefly survey

Participants during the Firefly survey

After sunset, participants observed fireflies while walking along the Kuratsuki water canal and around garden ponds, with a map in hand. Fireflies were spotted near water channels and in private gardens, revealing that natural life persists even within the city. Participants recorded the number of fireflies observed at each point on survey sheets and submitted their results.

Notably, this year, fewer fireflies were observed compared to last year, likely due to climate and environmental conditions. Continued monitoring and record-keeping are necessary to track changes in the urban natural environment over time.

Through these activities, we aim to deepen understanding of biodiversity in urban areas and foster community efforts to coexist with nature.