This organisation is registered as an alliance member of the Ministry of the Environment's “30by30” project, which aims to expand protected areas covering both sea and land to 30 per cent each.
This organisation is registered as Certificate No. 251-008 among the first ten organisations in Japan to receive a Certificate of Support from the Ministry of the Environment on 7 November 2025, in its capacity as a supporter of the Shonan International Village Meguri no Mori site, certified as a Nature Coexistence Site. Its initiatives are internationally recognised through the United Nations “30 by 30” database.
■Organizer■
Collaborative Forest Creation Promotion Council
Mixed-Planting and High-Density Planting Method Promotion Group
Non-Profit Corporation Silva
Last year, the Kanagawa Prefecture-owned “Shonan International Village Meguri no Mori” site, designated as a ‘Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site’ under the UN's ‘30 by 30’ nature conservation target, was upgraded as a certified site under the Regional Biodiversity Enhancement Act starting in fiscal year 2025. At this very location, we hosted our 29th annual Tree-Raising Festival, the group’s annual public event, on Sunday, November 16th.
During the opening ceremony, the slightly chilly breeze turned pleasantly refreshing as the work progressed, making for a comfortable day with glimpses of blue sky. The 181 participants who made reservations for the event, arrived at the site and experienced a special nature-positive activity: preparing the soil for next spring's Miyawaki Method planting site.
The ‘Earth Restoration’ hands-on experience, which Silva typically spends six months diligently preparing behind the scenes, received positive feedback from attendees which was a nice surprise. We were delighted to hear many say, “It was very educational.”
This hands-on experience involves utilizing grass clippings and branches as fertilizer to restore degraded soil on development sites. These are materials typically deemed as “waste” in the human world and destined for incineration. By artificially creating comfortable habitats for soil organisms, it boosts soil biodiversity from the ground up. This approach improves the existing soil into a nutrient-rich forest soil with the help of non-human life.
Nature possesses an excellent ecosystem that effortlessly accomplishes purification and regeneration, and concepts such as ‘waste’ or ‘trash’ become unnecessary. Naturally, grass clippings and branches destined for disposal by local landscapers are raw materials for Mother Earth and treasures of the planet. Understanding the natural cycle where matter and energy circulate reveals the processes inherent in the forest's regeneration.
We Japanese, an indigenous people with a deep agriculture history, have sought a life in harmony with nature since the Jōmon period (the time between c. 14000 and 300 BCE in Japanese History). This is the ancient way passed down to us, securing food by using what was available in just the right balance, without over-exploiting.
In Silva's forest creation, we believe the process itself is the key to reaching our goals. The core principle lies in expanding our awareness of “making the most of the life that exists” by utilizing decayed plant materials and making resource recovery a fundamental measure. Living “together” with the myriad creatures connected through the plant web is realized through our daily thoughts and actions. We will report separately on the YouTube video of our inaugural Tree Nurturing Festival once it is completed.
Last but not least, we extend our deepest gratitude to all the government officials, sponsoring companies, cooperating organizations, and related parties who supported us for today's event; to all the tree-planting volunteers who participated on the day; and to everyone at Silva. Thank you all sincerely for taking the time to join us on your precious Sunday.
A small step, when taken by many, becomes a stride that changes the future. With heartfelt gratitude.
Mixed-Planting and High-Density Planting Method Promotion Group
Group Leader, Toshiko Kawashita
※ 30 by 30: A new global target to conserve at least 30% of land and sea by 2030 through protected areas and OECMs. Through certification, it was registered in the international database as an internationally recognized environmental protection area, contributing to the new global goals adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity held in Montreal, Canada, in December 2022—the “Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework”—and to the SDGs.
※ Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites: Areas where biodiversity conservation is achieved through private sector initiatives and other efforts.
Early morning, starting at 8:15 AM, the leaders and 40 operational members gathered together♪
Before the opening ceremony, leaders and operational members spent an hour and a half learning the soil treatment method which was their first endeavor. After this training, they need to reach a level where they can lecture the general participants, heightening the excitement. Because everyone always approaches the work with such earnestness, the first meeting with new participants is harmonious. We are truly grateful for this.
At the reception desk, we start bustling with tasks before 8:00 AM, beginning with distributing Silva’s leader vests. Thank you to the Silva volunteer team and Silva forest restoration instructors handling the reception!
■Leadership Training■
【Distinguished guests】
～Supporters～
Mr. Hideki Hasegawa,
Deputy Director Regional Policy Division Local Government Promotion Department Kanagawa Prefecture
～Sponcering Company～
Mr. Yutaka Meiraku,
President and Representative Director of Tokio Marine Millea SAST Insurance Co., Ltd.
At the opening ceremony starting at 10:15, the guests kept their speeches brief,
as they were considerate of the chilly weather.
■Opening Ceremony■
Mr Meiraku
Mr Hasegawa
■Supporting Organization■
Tokio Marine Millea SAST Insurance Co., Ltd.
～The following four companies through the non-profit general incorporated association Silva～
National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization (through the Green Fund) Direct Projects
Sanki Engineering Co. Ltd.
Patagonia Environmental Grant Program
Tokyu Construction
＜Participants’ reasons of joining the event＞
- I sincerely appreciate the continued support.
- To mitigate and stop Climate Change
- To Increase Oxygen
- I support the vision of your organization and have been participating since 2019.
- I participated for the first time previously and found the activities valuable.
- I want to take action to protect the forest for the honey bees.
- I am interested in the Chinju-no-Mori (Sacred forest) and want to preserve the forests and plant trees.
- Because I am a local resident.
- I want to increase the forests!
- Because my son wanted to participate.
- I care about the global environment.
- I had a great time participating in Dr. Miyawaki’s Forest Creation Project in the past.
- As part of our corporate internal project activities.
- I have been participating since the event before last.
- I remembered how I experienced tree planting with the children under the guidance of Professor Miyawaki about ten years ago.
- I have been participating in the activities from the very beginning.
- While interested in the Miyawaki method, I want to engage in activities that will carry it forward to the next generation.
- I have interests in creating forests and was introduced by an acquaintance.
- I have an interest in the Miyawaki Method and my daughter wanted to join.
- I have participated in the planting event previously and wanted to participate in the Tree Nurturing festival.
Thank you so much for all the warm words!!
We find that there are many people who repeatedly join the events and have strong interests in the Miyawaki Method.
Next spring, we will plant native tree saplings in the areas you helped to prepare. Please come visit us again.
■Grass seeding work■
■'Soda' working■
The donation amount on the day of the 29th Shonan International Village Meguri-no-Mori Tree Nurturing Event was 171 yen from a child of one of Silva's members. Thank you for your reassuring support!!
The sales from Shinwa Gakuen's store, which are returned as wages for people with disabilities, totalled 53,260 yen!
The results of the 29th Shonan International Village Meguri-no-Mori Tree Nurturing Event!
Numbers of Participants: 181 people
Area of treating the Soil: Approximately 600㎡
Accumulated total numbers of participants since 2009 is now 13,218 people ♪
To everyone who joined on your day off, thank you very much for your collaboration!!
【Before the Tree-Planting Festival】
【After the Tree-Planting Festival】
■Organizer■
Collaborative Forest Creation Promotion Council
Mixed-Planting and High-Density Planting Method Promotion Group
Non-Profit Corporation Silva
■Sponsors■
Kanto Regional Office, Ministry of the Environment
Kanagawa Prefecture
Yokosuka City
Zushi City
Hayama Town
Kanagawa Prefectural Board of Education
Yokosuka City Board of Education
Zushi City Board of Education
Hayama Town Board of Education
■Supporting Organization■
Tokio Marine Millea SAST Insurance Co., Ltd.
～The following four companies through the Non-profit Corporation Silva～
National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization (through the Green Fund) Direct Projects
Sanki Engineering Co. Ltd.
Patagonia Environmental Grant Program
Tokyu Construction
■Collaborating Organization■
Tokio Marine Millea SAST Insurance Co., Ltd.
公益財団法人鎮守の森プロジェクト
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance Company, Limited
KeNSiN Inc.
The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Hiratsuka Factory
The following four companies (through the Shinwa Gakuen Forest of Life Friends Association):
Sunlife Co., Ltd.
Sanki Engineering Co., Ltd.
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Honda Logistics Inc.
～The following 16 organizations through the Non-profit Corporation Silva～
Yokohama Sunset 21 Lions Club, The Montessori School of Tokyo, Yokohama Isogonishi Lions Club,
Yokohama Oberlin Lions Club, International Soroptimist Yokohama、Nonprofit Corporation Ecomesse Setagaya・Meguro Mr. Tetsushi Katahira, Yokohama National University, Comfort Japan Corporation, Saitama Prefectural Ohmiya Koryo high School, All Patagonia Volunteers, Miyazaki Masahiro Tax Accountant Office, The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., Ibaraki Factory, Yokohama Mold Co., Ltd., Park Corporation, Silva Volunteer Group
Once the busy site grew quiet and deserted, the usual ‘Silva Cleanup Crew’ carefully packed up, after a brief lunch break, expressing gratitude for the many materials that brightened the event.
Every tool is a gift from the Earth, transformed from fossil resources, plant-derived materials and others to a new form. Treat it with care, and if it doesn't break, it will be a partner that stays with you forever.
The representative director's sickle is an old friend we spent over ten years together. The fact I've never once injured myself with this sickle might be because we've grown so well-matched over the years.
I am quietly moved to realize that friends aren't just human beings.
The tall old clock~♪ Grandpa's clock~♪
I hope you all find your own grandfather clock.
Enjoy the photographer's work at the Forest Art Gallery .
Forest Restoration Photo Diary
Photos can be downloaded.
~I want to know about forests whenever I want~
Podcast
No.32 [The importance of true forests, not just photosynthesis]
No.34 [Forest regeneration that we humans can do]
Silva contributes to 11 of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Silva is an alliance member that supports this project promoted by the Ministry of the Environment.
Silva's first forest creation experiment site, making the most of what is already there Before2016.12
After2022.5.28