A grasp of the training and the practice undertaken by Japanese prefectures to prepare local residents to become forestry volunteers.

Abstract

We carried out a survey by questionnaire to understand the training and practice undertaken by Japanese prefectures to train local residents to become forestry volunteers. The training was carried out 41 prefectures in 2006 business year, 5 prefectures except for OKINAWA prefecture had been carried out before 2006 business year. The training included acquisition of forestry management techniques, management in artificial forests and SATOYAMA, the science of forest ecosystems and multi-functions, and training of volunteer leaders. We found that there were 15 prefectures which issued their own licenses and certificates, 17 prefectures will continue to undertake this activity and some prefectures positively try to have more forestry volunteers and to improve their skills and intelligence. There were 25 prefectures which did the training themselves, 13 prefectures contracted it out and 3 prefectures assisted with the training. Therefore, it was established that training of forestry volunteers was a service of the prefecture.