Learning about the SDGs while experiencing nature

Saturday, February 5, 2022

Kisarazu, Chiba Prefecture

Learning about the SDGs while experiencing nature

Overview	This vast farm, about 330,000 square meters in area, grows large vegetable crops and raises numerous livestock. It also is a place where an energy cycle for the future is put into practice, through a bio-geo filter, a solar farm, and a composting facility on site. This program provided opportunities to think and learn about realizing a suitable society and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through experiencing nature along with the environment and food experienced here. The program concluded with a chance to learn about conservation of rural and coastal environments and for participants to discuss and present conclusions on what they can do themselves, in cooperation with the Kisarazu Rural Area and Seaside Future Development Association (Kurkku Fields K.K., Kisarazu Tourism Association, Kisarazu City Economic Development Division Tourism Promotion Department, and JF-Kaneda). * Shallow beaches are preserved on the coastline of Kisarazu, since as the site of a Japan Self-Defense Forces base it is one of the few coastal areas in the region in which there are no factories.
Partner organization	Kisarazu Rural Area and Seaside Future Development Association * Kurkku Fields K.K., Kisarazu Tourism Association, Kisarazu City Economic Development Division Tourism Promotion Department, and JF-Kaneda
Contact	JTB Corp. Chiba Branch Attn.: Keita Mikami Tel.: 043-201-6313 Closed: weekends, holidays Hours: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

Overview

This vast farm, about 330,000 square meters in area, grows large vegetable crops and raises numerous livestock. It also is a place where an energy cycle for the future is put into practice, through a bio-geo filter, a solar farm, and a composting facility on site. This program provided opportunities to think and learn about realizing a suitable society and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through experiencing nature along with the environment and food experienced here.
The program concluded with a chance to learn about conservation of rural and coastal environments and for participants to discuss and present conclusions on what they can do themselves, in cooperation with the Kisarazu Rural Area and Seaside Future Development Association (Kurkku Fields K.K., Kisarazu Tourism Association, Kisarazu City Economic Development Division Tourism Promotion Department, and JF-Kaneda).

* Shallow beaches are preserved on the coastline of Kisarazu, since as the site of a Japan Self-Defense Forces base it is one of the few coastal areas in the region in which there are no factories.

Partner organization

Kisarazu Rural Area and Seaside Future Development Association
* Kurkku Fields K.K., Kisarazu Tourism Association, Kisarazu City Economic Development Division Tourism Promotion Department, and JF-Kaneda

Contact

JTB Corp. Chiba Branch Attn.: Keita Mikami Tel.: 043-201-6313 Closed: weekends, holidays Hours: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm

Comments from participants

・ It was very informative to get a feel for SDGs initiatives through the almost completely closed cycle within the Kurkku Fields site. It was a refreshing experience to enjoy delicious food in natural surroundings.

・ I think the harvesting experience was exciting for all, from young children to adults.

・ The long lunch break was a good idea, since it gave us a chance to ride the slide and eat more lunch.

・ I learned that the entire Kurkku Fields site is a rural environment in which one can experience coexistence between people and nature.

・ Although I previously had toured the site on a guided school fieldtrip, I was glad to have the opportunity actually to pick vegetables by hand. It was a kind of experiential learning that is not possible simply by watching from a distance.

Comments from the partner organization

We believe that the JTB Brighter Earth Project itself is an excellent first step toward letting participants learn about the wonders of the earth’s environment and related issues. We would like to see it developed further to lead to efforts to build a sustainable society, as a second step.
(For example, through connecting customers to events held at the venue organized by JTB.)

Looking back on this event, we would like to point out the following:
・ The morning tour of about 40 people was too large in number for all participants to be guided effectively.

・ In the agricultural experience, participants got a feel for agriculture and the blessings of nature that they cannot usually experience.

・ This was the first time we prepared bento lunches made to order instead of using the regular menu. We received many favorable comments.

・ However, the fact that we were unable to offer bento lunches for children is a point that needs improvement.

・ We were unable to allocate 90 minutes in the afternoon.

・ We need to find a way to help people to concentrate while seated for 90 minutes.

Comments from the person responsible

Kisarazu provides opportunities to experience and learn about natural coastal and rural environments only about one hour from central Tokyo.
It is hoped that this experience will help participants to understand the SDGs and will lead to future practical efforts.

Learning about the SDGs while experiencing nature