+1 Forest program　│　You can make your own forest.

Forest is a source of clean water, air, food, energy and culture A forest of indigenous trees better supports the diversity of species, is more robust to disasters, and offers abundant blessings to a local community. Water and air do not stop circulating at national borders. In order to protect clean water and air, Gaia Initiative promotes the movement of “+1 Forest” to all over the world.

It is each one of us who can protect forest. Gaia Initiative connects city and rural area, and stimulates interactions among residents. We aim to reduce CO2 emissions through carbon offset, as well as to offer opportunities for hands-on experience.

Traditionally, people maintained sustainable relationship with forests. Thinning and cutting at an adequate rate allowed forests to grow more healthily. However, recent decades witnessed increase in untouched, less maintained forests due to lack of human resources. The growth of the forests are hindered in many places, and as a result, have led the decrease of CO2 absorption.

As the first step to tackle this nation-wide, or world-wide problem, NPO Gaia Initiative made a partnership agreement with Otaki village, which is located in Kiso region.

Kiso, surrounded by Ontake Mountain and the Central Japan Alps, is a home of high-quality natural forest and clean water to Nagoya metropolitan area.
NPO Gaia Initiative and Otaki village agreed to reserve 2,600 ha village-owned forest as “Otaki +1 forest”. We aim to increase CO2 absorption as well as to propose that we should get back a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature.

■Addressing climate change and global warming (through carbon offset)
If 2,600ha forest in Otaki were healthy, it would absorb about 160,000 tons of CO2 every year. (Based on our original estimate)
However, in real situation, the lack of appropriate forest management prevents healthy growth of the trees. “+1 Forest” program encourages proper maintenance of the forest so that the forest will be able to grow and absorb CO2 more.
■Forest experience and human network
+1 Forest program includes hands-on activities such as nature tour, tree planting and thinning, wood craft workshop, and so forth.

Forest in Otaki village

We would like to introduce company and organization that support “+1 Forest”.

PARK ‘Flower Campaign’

Period: June14th (Sat) - July13th (Sun)
Content: P ARK proposes “a life with relaxation and excitement”. Each P ARK shop sells a pot of flower to its customers. The profit of the sales from this campaign will be used to support “+1 Forest” in Otaki.
URL：　http://www.p-ark.co.jp/

※Click ‘Support’, you will move to application form page.
(Japanese Only)

●NPO Gaia Initiative
Email:
Tel: 03-5411-4421 (Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00)/ Fax: 03-5772-7973