Practical learning from the sites of protected areas that support urban nature

Period: 7 days during the summer vacation period of 2023
Host organization: Wild Bird Society of Japan
Location: Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park (Ota Ward, Tokyo), Yokohama Nature Park (Yokohama City)

Learning objectives:
To learn practical operations of the park's Nature Center, whose main purpose is to conserve the natural environment and provide nature observation/education in the city, including facility operation, environmental management in the park, and promotional activities for visitors.
Through these activities, participants will consider the role of NGOs as an important sector in promoting a sustainable society in the future, how conservation and management of the natural environment in urban areas and extension education should be conducted, and the possibility of cooperation between government, business, and society and NGOs, from the perspective of the field.

Participant's Comments:

Through the activities, I was able to learn firsthand about the current status of nature conservation activities in the Tokyo metropolitan area, which is the most familiar to me. In addition, I learned a lot by working together with rangers, staff members, and volunteers in the actual field. In addition, I was able to observe creatures that I would not normally come into contact with during the bird watching and tidal flat activities, and I feel that my knowledge has deepened compared to what I knew before participating. Overall, this experience was valuable for my career, and I learned a lot. In particular, I learned a lot from the rangers about how to deal with nature and how to interact with it. There are many ways to be involved in nature conservation, and there may not be a right answer. This is the same for any kind of work, and the first step is to do what is in front of you, one by one, with sincerity. Then, actively share the knowledge you have gained with those around you. I would like to keep these attitudes in mind as I build my own career. I would like to use this experience as the basis for my job-hunting activities as well, and I would like to take initiatives to solve problems. (3rd year student)

I think the Career Challenge was very meaningful for me in terms of job hunting and in deepening my understanding of and interest in nature and living creatures. I would like to make use of the knowledge of the rangers I learned this time in considering my career path, and of my knowledge and interest in nature and living creatures in enriching my life. I would like to walk with an awareness of what I learned from the rangers, that "having an interest is a shortcut to gaining knowledge. In addition, through the Career Challenge, I learned that "volunteering is another way to be involved in nature," and I would like to think about my career path and life plan with this in mind. (3rd year student)

Through this career challenge, I learned that rangers provide visitors with opportunities to get in touch with nature by preparing the three aspects of "environmental education, environmental research, and environmental management," the grandeur of nature and the importance of knowing how to coexist with nature in a sustainable manner, and the importance of being able to discuss these issues in group work at seminars and other events. I also learned the importance of transforming knowledge into Practical wisdom by going to the field and keeping the spark of curiosity alive, rather than just talking about things on the desk when having discussions. I also learned that when I become a member of society, I should have a wealth of experience and a deep sense of kindness like the rangers who guided me, and that I should never forget to challenge myself, to love nature, and to continue to deepen my knowledge. (4th grade)