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neglected Satoyama forests and the involvement underscored the profound
regeneration of habitats for native wildlife, sense of community resilience and
the Trust endeavours to create a legacy of solidarity prevailing in the face of adversity,
biodiversity and environmental amplifying the impact of the restoration
sustainability that will endure for efforts. Moreover, participants gained
generations to come. As participants invaluable insights into sustainable forestry
immersed themselves in these practices and the intricate interplay
transformative experiences, the profound between environmental conservation and
themes of biodiversity and renovation disaster resilience, thereby deepening their
reverberated deeply, underscoring the appreciation for the intrinsic connection
indomitable spirit of resilience and renewal between biodiversity preservation and
in the face of adversity. societal well-being. Following the tree
ASEP 2017 continued on the fourth day planting activity, participants embarked on
with the theme of biodiversity and a transformative fieldwork expedition with
renovation by allowing the participants to the International Research Institute of
engage in a meticulously planned itinerary Disaster Science (IRIDeS) at Tohoku
aimed at immersing them in hands-on University in Sendai-shi. Against the
activities and comprehensive learning. The backdrop of the institute's state-of-the-art
day commenced with a tree planting facilities, the participants delved into the
initiative in Watari-cho, Miyagi Prefecture, intricate complexities of disaster science
where the scars of the 2011 Tohoku and risk reduction, guided by esteemed
earthquake and tsunami still lingered. specialists at the forefront of research
Continuing the effort by the AEON innovation. Through interactive discussions
Foundation, ASEP 2017 participants joined and immersive learning experiences,
forces with local volunteers to contribute participants gained a comprehensive
to the restoration of protective coastal understanding of IRIDeS's pivotal role in
forests ravaged by the catastrophic advancing disaster preparedness,
tsunami as part of its ongoing commitment response, and recovery strategies,
to post-disaster recovery efforts. particularly in the aftermath of the 2011
Collaborating with the Minna no Morizukuri: Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami.
Miyagi Coastal Forest Restoration Project. A highlight of the visit was a captivating risk
This initiative, which commenced in 2015, management game meticulously designed
has seen remarkable progress, with 1,100 to simulate real-world disaster scenarios,
volunteers planting 13,000 trees and wild allowing participants to apply theoretical
cherry trees harvested and nurtured knowledge to practical situations. By
locally. As the participants meticulously navigating through a series of simulated
planted 1500 softwood pine trees, the act challenges and selecting optimal mitigation
not only served to replenish lost greenery strategies, participants honed their critical
but also represented a tangible step thinking skills and gained invaluable insights
towards fostering biodiversity and
ecological resilience in the region. The
significance of the tree planting endeavour
was further accentuated by its
collaborative nature, as participants
worked hand in hand with Japanese high
school and university students deeply
affected by the 2011 disaster. Their active
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