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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.

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.

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. 

In Kanazawa City, many historical heritage sites, such as buildings, irrigation canals, gardens, and sacred forests, reflect a deep connection between culture, nature, and history. The City of Kanazawa actively conducts research and preservation efforts to pass these heritage treasures to future generations.

As part of these initiatives, Kanazawa City is hosting the “Kanazawa Historical Heritage Exploration Month,” from September 28th to November 30^th, and OUIK is supporting this program.

During these months, multiple events are underway to experience the city’s historical heritage, including the event that was held on October 12^th at the Nishi Family Garden, which was recently inscribed in the process to be designated as a national scenic spot.

Invited by Kanazawa Cultural Department, OUIK’s Research Fellow Dr. Juan provided a lecture and garden tour for 43 attendees.

The event was attended by the Mayor of Kanazawa City, Takashi Murayama, who opened with an introduction, highlighting the importance of Kanazawa’s garden culture and its growing international recognition.  He acknowledged the city’s designation as a UNEP Model City for the Generation Restoration project and expressed gratitude to OUIK for its vital role in promoting Kanazawa’s environmental, economic, and cultural values through the Sustainable Nature Project.

In the presentation, Dr. Juan began by describing the natural features surrounding Kanazawa, including its mountains and abundant water resources. He highlighted the unique qualities of Kanazawa’s gardens, shaped by the Hokuriku region’s climate and a supportive social structure established by the Maeda clan in the 16th century. This system allowed a middle class of artisans to flourish, many of whom sought to recreate a miniature Kenrokuen in their homes, nourished by the local canal network.

Dr. Juan then detailed the network of canals and gardens that still exist in the city today.  He addressed the challenges these gardens face due to depopulation and lack of maintenance. In the second part of the presentation, he emphasized how this connectivity between canals and gardens is essential for maintaining ecological functions and supporting biodiversity.

To prove this point, Dr. Juan shared findings (2021.9, 2021.11) from the wildlife survey conducted in thirty city gardens, using Mr. Nishi’s garden as an example.

This survey, which used different methods like in situ observation, sensor cameras, IC recorders, and DNA analysis across various seasons, identified valuable species such as the Ayu fish (Plecoglossus altivelis), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), Euphaedusa tau snail, and fireflies (Lampyridae).

All these results reinforce the idea of ​​the strong connection between cultural preservation and natural conservation since many of these animals have established their habitat in the gardens because they found an environment protected from rapid urbanization, and today, they represent true natural reservoirs.

Through Dr. Juan’s presentation, participants gained a deeper appreciation for the aesthetic, cultural, and ecological values ​​of the Kanazawa Gardens. The discussion emphasized establishing monitoring systems to track animal life in the coming years to ensure ecological continuity. After the presentation, the attendees freely walked around the garden, enjoying a sunny pre-autumn day.

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*About Nishi Family Garden: It was created in 1916, Taisho period, in a residential area of ​​the old city, Nagamachi, and has retained its original appearance since then. The adjacent Onosho water canal irrigates the central garden pond, which is surrounded by impressive and large landscape stones, providing from various places of Japan; they are beautifully displayed together with arched bridges and water basins, balanced with high artificial hills located at the rare part of the garden, planted by native vegetation such as pine trees, azaleas, mapples etc, providing to the viewer a deep sense of space and secluded atmosphere reverberating the features of Kanazawa nature.

Source: https://www4.city.kanazawa.lg.jp/soshikikarasagasu/bunkazaihogoka/gyomuannai/3/1/1/siteibunkazai/5/5826.html

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Check about the event on Kanazawa City Official Youtube Channel 

Sorry, this entry is only available in Japanese.

The final presentation session for the which was newly launched by OUIK this fiscal year, took place on September 16, 2024. The aim of this program is to cultivate global leaders from the local community to tackle global challenges such as sustainable development and climate change. Thirteen high school students from Kanazawa City participated and presented the results of their six-month study on local environmental issues and climate change. 

During the presentation, the 13 participating high school students shared the outcomes of their inquiry projects on local environmental issues, which they worked on during their summer vacation. Each student presented solutions and proposals they developed addressing the impacts of climate change and specific environmental problems in their region, actively responding to questions from the audience. 

The themes presented included: 

– Utilization of abandoned farmland 
– Moving away from a car-centric society 
– Proposals for improving ports and surrounding environments 
– Reducing emissions of alternative fluorocarbons 
– The relationship between Ishikawa/Kanazawa and water 
– Green infrastructure in Kanazawa 
– Circular economy 

The students’ presentations were based on specific data and often suggested realistic solutions. Notably, proposals that included collaboration with local residents and cooperation with government authorities garnered significant interest from participants. 

Next Step: Delegation to the 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29)

Following the presentation, the participating students underwent individual interviews, and Kanazawa Izumigaoka High School student Nanako Kaji and Kanazawa University High School student Mari Honda were selected. These two will represent the UN University delegation and Kanazawa’s youth at the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, scheduled to be held in Azerbaijan this November. They are expected to actively voice the perspectives of Kanazawa’s youth on an international stage and contribute to global climate change initiatives. 

This presentation event served as a highly meaningful opportunity to showcase how local youth engage with global issues and propose solutions from their own perspectives. Participants, inspired by the students’ passion and initiative, hold great expectations for their growth as leaders who will support not only their local communities but also the future of the world. 

Updates on the activities of the members selected for COP29 will be communicated through the official website and social media of the United Nations University OUIK, so please stay tuned!

Click on the link below to know more about OUIK’s Youth Empowerment Program:

Leadership Development Program for the Next Generation: Changing the World from Kanazawa, Ishikawa 2024 (Youth Empowerment Program)

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.

Following the recent earthquake, there were concerns about the feasibility of this year’s survey. However, on October 25, 2024, sixth-grade students from Nakajima Elementary School in Nanao City successfully completed the Survey of Marine Life in the Satoumi area. The event was organized by Nanao City, with support from specialists in the field, including Mr. Arakawa from the Noto Marine Center and Ms. Koyama, a Research Associate at OUIK.

Ms. Odake from the Nanao City Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries Division began the event by welcoming everyone. Afterward, Mr. Arakawa, provided an overview of the survey methods and explained about safety precautions. The students were split into five groups, and equipped with the necessary tools, they began their survey. Using box goggles and nets, they set out in search of various creatures. Some children crawled on all fours, striving to catch crabs hiding between the stone steps, while others became so absorbed in their exploration that they waded waist-deep into the water. When the time was announced to wrap up their collecting, some students voiced their disappointment saying, “Wait, do we have to stop?”, indicating they were eager to continue their search for more creatures.

Next, it was time for species identification. The species collected were observed separately from seaweed. The students documented the organisms they found on the worksheets and newly created complemented materials by the GIAHS Working Group. Mr. Arakawa explained about the species found and that creatures from the same family of Shitadami shells are edible. He also explained that there is a type of shellfish called Sugai (Lunella correensis), which looks similar to Shitadami but has a different shell lid shape. Crabs found by each group were gathered and placed in a single container for comparison. Two different types of crabs, Isogani (Hemigrapsus sanguineus) and Gazami (Portunus trituberculatus), were observed, revealing that the shape of the fifth leg on the Gazami crab is flattened, making it well-suited for swimming.

At first glance, an artificial coastal shore seemed empty, but when we took a closer look, students were able to find a variety of marine life there. Due to the effects of the earthquake, children may have fewer opportunities to go outside and connect with nature. However, we hope that this survey has helped the students appreciate the richness and fascination of their local coastal environment. We also hope that they will continue deepening their understanding of how their daily lives are connected to the sea. Under the clear autumn sky, the shining smiles of the children were truly the most memorable sight of all.