The Oji Group owns 573,000 hectares of forests, 188,000 hectares in Japan, and 385,000 hectares overseas. As one of the initiatives to utilize Oji's forests, the Oji Forest Nature School, a nature experience-type environmental education program for 4th to 6th graders of elementary schools, has been held since 2004.
This year, the 17th event was held online as last year from July 25 (Mon.) to 27 (Wed.). A total of 230 elementary school students participated over the three days.
This year we offered two different programs to deepen each learning experience.
In the first program, "Forest Recycling," participants learned about the cycle of forests through afforestation and the multifaceted functions of forests.
In the second program, "Paper Recycling," participants learned about the three roles of paper (Reading & writing, Wrapping, and Wiping), and the paper recycling system from waste paper to fresh one through quizzes and videos. Participants made key chains from thinned wood and handmade postcards in the latter half of each program using a paper-milling set.
The participating children asked many questions and expressed their opinions during the program. In a questionnaire for parents after the program, they said, "I enjoyed the hands-on experience as well as the learning experience," and "I enjoyed participating in the class because it was a participatory class where I could ask questions.
The Oji Forest Nature School is a valuable opportunity for us to pass on to the children who will be responsible for the next generation our attitude and thoughts toward environmental conservation.
Details of the program, including application guidelines, are available at the following.
Oji Holdings has been conducting environmental classes for elementary school students in collaboration with the Nippon Association of Consumer Specialists (NACS)*1 since 2015 and the Comprehensive Support Center of Consumer Affairs and Welfare Service (C-Support)*2 since 2020.
In the environmental classes, we teach children about the Oji Group's contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its business activities and the importance of continuing to consume sustainably.
We continue these activities so that elementary school students can think about "eco-actions" they can take and take concrete actions.
At present, the total forest plantation area of the overall Group is 250,000 hectares. What is important for continuing the forest plantation business this far is not only the economic performance of the business but also its sustainable symbiotic relationship with the local environment and communities. Accordingly, Group companies engaged in the forest plantation business carry out a range of environmental and social support activities that are appropriate for the characteristics of each region.
These activities include biodiversity preservation activities for protecting endangered and valuable species. They also include support for areas with poor accessibility to public services such as healthcare and education, including the support for healthcare activities such as the provision of health examinations, open access to health clinics, support for medical emergency transport, as well as support for education such as the maintenance and repair of facilities for nurseries and schools.
Cellulose Nipo-Brasileira S.A. (CENIBRA), our consolidated subsidiary in Brazil, engages in the procurement, processing, and sales of raw wood and woodchips and manufacturing and sales of pulp. CENIBRA contributes to local communities through diverse activities including helping farmers increase their income by lending them company-owned land that is appropriate for farming, the conclusion of partnerships with local beekeepers, and dispatching doctors, teachers, and barbers to remote areas to provide local people with opportunities for health examinations, social education, and haircuts.
