This study investigated the effect of differences in residence, whether close to or far from the lake, on the learning effects of environmental studies among 4th grade elementary school students living in the lake basin who participated in environmental studies held at the lake. The proposition of this study was theissue of intragenerational fairness, which considers the fairness and unfairness of environmental burdens and risks that are unevenly distributed among people of the same generation living in the basin. Differences in environmental awareness and behavior were observed between residents living near andfar from the lake before the study, immediately after the study, and one month after the study, and intragenerational fairness was not maintained.

  As a summary of the learning activities, we conducted a class to create illustrated maps of the local nature, with the aim of developing the ability to view the local natural environment from a cross-disciplinary and comprehensive perspective. Through this practical training, it was confirmed that the students had increased their cross-disciplinary and comprehensive understanding and interest in the local natural environment. In addition, no major differences due to differences in place of birth were confirmed. Furthermore, it also led to demonstrating the effectiveness of cross-disciplinary subjects. On the other hand, it was also confirmed that this training did not lead to an increase in the level of attachment to the local region.

  In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to incorporate independent and active activities, as well as experiential activities that interact with local nature.

  This study aimed to identify awareness, user experience and needs for visitor centers. The survey was conducted using Surveroid, an online research tool provided by Marketing Applications, Inc. A stratified sampling method was used to select respondents, with the number of responses allocated in a way that corresponded to the population by sex and age group in the Japanese census. Responses were obtained from 475 respondents, from which 343 were valid responses. The results are as follows: 1) Awareness of ‘visitor centers’ was 44%, with only 14% of respondents able to give examples of specific visitor center facilities, and 48% of respondents had never heard of them or did not know of them; 2) Only 24% of the respondents had used the facilities and 76% of the respondents hadn’t used them; 3) Both in the “having awareness” and “having used” categories, the need for historical and cultural exhibits, botanical exhibits, highlights exhibits, and topographic and geological exhibits was relatively reinforced.