Ayaka Nagata(participant)

*Group name

ART-N.FE

*Country/Region

Shizuoka prefecture, Japan

*Type of Group

Home

*Number of total members of your group/project

3 persons

*Number of regular participants in activities

3 persons

*Characteristic of members

Our family members work together. Since the father is often busy with work, the two elementary school daughters and the mother work hard. With our slogan, "Do what we can!" we try to have fun while taking part in activities.

*Theme(s) of your group/project

*Forests/Tree planting, *Nature Conservation, *Water Issues, *Climate Change/Global Warming Effect

*Missions and activities of your group/project

To inform others of the existence of precious wildlife through sea turtle, little tern, and beach plant protection activities. To participate in hometown mountain experiences, water quality surveys, and nature observation meetings in order to expand our horizon. We've also started forestation activities.

*Characteristics of the group/project activities

By participating in a local nature conservation group and Junior Eco-Club, we come into direct contact with nature as well as collect information and contemplate on our own. This enables us to look at things and make action with a broader outlook.

*Most importnat way of thinking of your group/project for environment

We believe what we are doing, no matter how small it may be, could achieve a lot if done by many. We always remind ourselves to take careful note of what is happening to the earth and proactively do what we can.

*Major publications and articles

*2005 November 20th issue  Hamamatsu Public Information
  As a part of the special feature Preventing Global Warming, I wrote an article on how we as a family lead an eco-friendly life and work together to prevent global warming. Tomoko Nagata (chaperon)
*Ministry of the Environment"Junior Eco-Club"Partnership program
  2005  Ecology's "Poem on Environment"
  Eco message to my summer friends  Received an honorable mention
  To my summer friend, little tern   Ayaka Nagata
*Summer Mini-Essay Contest for Children sponsored by The Dai-ichi Mutual Life Insurance Company and Asahi Gakusei Shimbun  
Earned an outstanding performance award Ayaka Nagata
The essay was entitled "My Treasure" and was on the Children's World Summit on the Environment.
*The following are not articles
  Summer independent research
  2005 Children's Meeting for Reading Science Research Papers (Society of Educational Research of Shizuoka Prefecture)
  Theme: Making the Map of Beaches    Gold Prize  Risa Nagata
  Theme: The Relationship between Sea Turtle Nesting and Phases of the Moon and the Rhythm of the Tides     Silver Prize   Ayaka Nagata
*Hamamatsu Environment Fair 21 Photo contest
  2nd place  "I Met with a Summer Friend"   Tomoko Nagata
  The photograph appeared in the morning issue of The Chunichi Shimbun on November 16, 2005.
*The Yomiuri Shimbun  October 6, 2005  morning issue
  Relaxed Town Corner  Contributed to the section introducing children participating in nature conservation groups.    Ayaka Nagata

*What kind of group/project do you want to exchange for imformation and experience with?

*Since starting forestation activities, we've been more interested in the standing situation of areas in the world which are involved in forestation activities and in groups taking part in them.
*Groups involved in wildlife protection nearby the beach
We're interested in learning how many sea organisms need protection and of activities already done by other groups.
*Groups involved in the prevention of global warming

*Short message for exchange with other group/project

Each area of the world has its own environmental issue. There were some problems I learned of for the first time at the summit. We hope to get inspiration and ideas for future activities by learning about the aims and efforts of other groups.

*Impression of Children's World Summit for the Environment 2005 Aichi

We learned of some environmental issues in the world for the first time, and gained some realization of the reality which was unbeknownst to us. It was surprising to witness students from around the world with strong environmental awareness willingly exchanging thoughts, and at the same time it was very motivating. Not only the presentations by children but also the keynote speech was interesting, and it helped to broaden our horizon. Although we had always known the importance of "keeping our promise" and of forestation activities, it was difficult to take action. Thus the summit, which urged us on to take action, was very meaningful.

*Others

Through green see turtle and little tern protection activities, we witness and are worried about the recent decrease in the number of beaches. We feel there is much we could do to preserve the present nature. By taking part in the summit, we felt the pressing need to take a good look at what is happening around the world and to take necessary action. We volunteer to take part in forestation activities and grow acorns to give back to the forest. We think there is a lot more we could do and plan to enjoy the experience of taking part in activities.

*Contact person

Tomoko Nagata

*Contact Address

Kopo Avenue 202
108 Seidenji-cho,Hamamatsu-city, Shizuoka 435-0035 Japan