Visit a Pioneering Region
for Nature-Positive
ONNA VILLAGE CREATION OF A CORAL VILLAGE TOUR
The tour provided an opportunity to experience and learn about the red soil runoff measures that Onna Village and the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have jointly implemented.
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＝NEWS＝
A joint convention of the SPNHC (The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections) and the TDWG (Biodiversity Information Standards) was held at the Okinawa Convention Center from September 2 to September 6, 2024. The tour was held on September 1, the day before the event, and the project was later presented during the opening ceremony of the international conference.
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ONNA VILLAGE CREATION OF
A CORAL VILLAGE TOUR
What should we do now to preserve
the natural environment for future generations?
Onna Village in Okinawa Prefecture is blessed with a rich natural environment, surrounded by a beautiful ocean and extensive coral reefs, and has been growing as one of Japan's leading tourist destinations.
However, red soil erosion has been a serious problem in the village, with sediment from the terrestrial area being washed into the ocean. As a countermeasure, the village is working on a joint industry-government-academia initiative.
This tour is a special program allowing participants to "participate in the creation of the village" by seeing, hearing, and practicing the initiative taken by this leading nature-positive village.
Through the hands-on experience and interaction with the local community, the program offers an opportunity not only to discover the charms of Okinawa's natural environment but also to contribute to Nature-Based Solutions (NbS).
POINT 01
Program provided by coordinators with expertise
The program is led by local expert coordinators with in-depth knowledge of the area as well as OIST researchers. Participants will enjoy diverse culture of the region through the local field work, discussion and interaction with the local people.
POINT 02
Experience OIST’s Futuristic Facility
At OIST's state-of-the-art research facility, participants will enjoy interdisciplinary interactions across academic disciplines through lectures and discussions. The futuristic architectural design and natural environment coexist harmoniously in the facility, offering a unique landscape as one of its highlights.
POINT 03
Involve Village Development through Regional Redistribution
This program not only directly contributes to measures against red soil runoff but also provides a mechanism for community development by redistributing participation fees as income for local residents.
HONEY & CORAL PROJECT
The Honey & Coral Project is to create a community unique to Onna Village, the Coral Village, as an "SDGs Future City". While promoting beekeeping among local farmers, the village nurtures the attractive environment of the region, where local residents and tourists can feel the beautiful environment and rich ecosystem, and contribute to the local economy with the produced honey.
PROGRAMS
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Lecture on
Onna Village's Creation of the Coral VillageLECTURE
The lecture will explore the creation of “Coral Village” and the “sustainable red soil runoff measures” as the land-based environmental conservation. It will also cover the “Honeycoral Project” and the “Secondary Use of Greenbelt-Vetiver” as a field work.
【Duration】1 hour -
Lecture &
Group DiscussionLECTURE
This is a special program where OIST students give lectures on research topics as their themes. Lecturers will give a seminar and have discuss with participants the benefits and impacts of beekeeping as a practical agricultural activity on existing ecosystems.
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Vetiver Crafts
WORKSHOP
Onna Village has created new businesses and jobs by commercializing vetiver harvested locally. Participants will contribute to the village’s community development by participating in a vetiver craft workshop.
【Duration】30 minr -
Vetiver &
Beekeeping TourACTIVITY
Participants will visit a local farm to observe vetiver grass, a type of plant from the Poaceae family, used as a countermeasure against red soil runoff in what is known as a "green belt" (vegetation strip).
Participants will also visit beekeeping operations that generate income for red soil runoff measures and have the opportunity to taste freshly harvested honey.
【Duration】1 hour(In case of inclement weather, the fieldwork will be replaced by an indoor activity in a conference room at OIST.)
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Visit to
Sedimentation Basin SiteACTIVITY
Participants will visit a sedimentation basin located at the mouth of an estuary, designed to prevent red soil from flowing directly into the ocean. They will observe the conditions of red soil accumulation and the habitats of invasive species from a biodiversity perspective.
【Duration】1 hour(In case of inclement weather, the fieldwork will be replaced by an indoor activity in a conference room at OIST.)
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Michi no Eki Onna
Nakayukui Market
LUNCH
The market gathers various local agricultural products and specialties. Participants will enjoy dishes and souvenirs produced and consumed locally.
【Duration】1 hour
COORDINATOR
Ryo Kirino
Onna Village Red Soil Runoff Prevention Council Agricultural Environment Coordinator
2017: Appointed as Agricultural Environment Coordinator for the Onna Village Red Soil Runoff Prevention Regional Council
Nonno Hasegawa
Integrative Community Ecology Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
2020 Start PhD program at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology
2021 Honey bee viruses research seminar in Japan
TOUR
- Tour name
- ONNA VILLAGE CREATION OF A CORAL VILLAGE TOUR
- Detail
- "Visit a Pioneering Region for Nature-Positive" ONNA VILLAGE CREATION OF A CORAL VILLAGE TOUR
- Schedule
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＝Model Plan＝
9:00 Arrive at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology(OIST) ※Please arrange your own transportation.
9:30 【LECTURE】PROGRAM01 Lecture on Onna’s Creation of the Coral Village
10:30 【WORKSHOP】Vetiver Craft Workshop
11:30 【ACTIVITY】Visit to Vetiver Glass Farmers and Beekeepers
12:30 【LUNCH】Michi no Eki Onna Nakayukui Market
14:00 【ACTIVITY】 Visit to a Sedimentation Basin Site
15:30 【LECTURE】Lecture & Group Discussion
17:00 Tour Dismissal
- Tour Capacity
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HALF DAY TOUR SCHEDULE：Maximum 10 participants
FULL DAY TOUR SCHEDULE：Maximum 10 participants
※Group tours are available for parties of 5 or more. Please feel free to inquire.
- Requests
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- As the program includes outdoor activities, please wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for walking.
- The tour will proceed as usual even in rainy weather; however, it may be canceled in case of severe weather conditions.
- Cancel
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- In the event of tour cancellation due to severe weather, no cancellation fees will be charged.