KODOMO Ramsar
in Hokkaido

October 7th-8th, 2006
Abashiri City, Hokkaido

“KODOMO Ramsar”, one of the wetland awareness activities for children organized by Ramsar Center Japan, was held at Abashiri City in Hokkaido from October 7th to 8th, 2006. 60 children, including the KODOMO leader Kenju Yamamoto (from Biwa-ko), Yuma Matsui (from Tofutsu-ko), Chansak Buaban (from Talenoi Lake, Thailand), and many other children from a variety of Ramsar Sites such as Sarobetsu-genya, Kutcharo-ko, Miyajima-numa, Kushiro-shitsugen, Kiritappu-shitsugen joined the activity.

Although the field visit planned on the second day had to be canceled due to unpleasant weather, we could successfully accomplish the activity with the warm support from Abashiri City, Abashiri Nature Information (NGO), Okhotsk Chapter of Wild Bird Society of Japan, and local people. We would like to acknowledge all of their help.

The activity held on the first day, October 7th, focused on children’s presentations and discussions concerning wetlands and wetland conservation activities. Children representing different wetland regions expressed their ideas and concerns about wetland issues, under the facilitation of Mr. Daisuke Nakamura, an elementary school teacher from Shiga prefecture.

Children continued their discussions for two days and finally came up with a “KODOMO Message” that had put together the important points of their discussions. Children wrote this message,

　　　　“Let’s take hands and move forward together,
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　for our nature and for our future”

, on a big cloth with their own signatures.

This message will be brought to the next KODOMO Ramsar activity in Nakaumi / Shinjiko, planned on November 18th and 19th.

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