Abstract
The solutions to increasingly complex environmental problems necessitate new governance based on the cooperation of diverse actors. The role of civil society in creating new forest governance is important, and forestry volunteering is a specific example of the kind of action required. Japanese forests have traditionally been preserved by agricultural communities. However, the current forest volunteer activities were started by residents in cities through their participation in forestry preservation work and are characterized by the volunteers' efforts in promoting the use of domestic wood and in making political suggestions. The number of forestry volunteers has increased dramatically in recent years, and have formed networks with other actors from the community to the national level. It is essential that the work of these forestry volunteers help form a "New Commons" connecting cities and rural villages.
