This study is aimed at finding measures for the sustainable development of Satoyama preservation activities. First, questionnaires were distributed to various civic groups working for Satoyama preservation in Osaka prefecture, asking if there were any difference in group size and activities between the beginning and the present and how different they were. Next, among the valid responses, the groups that showed any improvement in their management forms were selected, and interviewed on how they had carried out their activities and developed their management system. Then, by noting the time period when major changes had occurred in the management form and clarifying the causes and effects that had been closely related to the operational improvements, any way for sustainable development was studied. The results show that what are needed are; (1) acquiring the knowledge on Satoyama and management skills at earlier stages; (2) introducing programs for considering a variety of relationships between Satoyama and people, whereby Satoyama can be regarded as not only the place to be preserved, but also the one for leisure activities, relaxation, and learning; (3) establishing the administrative function as an independent organization; and (4) having the local government play an administrative role of backing up civic groups in their initial movements as well as serve as a bridge between different organizations of the kind, which will surely help the development of civic groups.
