Disaster Response Japan Project #14123

Restore 100 Hectares of the Miyagi Coastal Forest

by OISCA International

Project Report | May 8, 2015
Progress of OISCA`s Action after Tohoku Tsunami

By Ma. Grazen Acerit | Project Coordinator

Forest workers during the tree planting activities

OISCA and the tsunami survivors wish to extend our deepest and sincerest gratitude to the donors who have helped materialized the reforestation activities along the coastline of Natori City in Miyagi, Japan which was damaged by the March 11, 2011 tsunami.

Last year, we have successfully covered an area of 15.67 hectares with 80,182 black pine seedlings; employed 1,402 tsunami survivors and forest workers; mobilized 1,500 volunteers; and educated 5,000 people through the organized symposiums and photo exhibits.

Based on the conducted monitoring and evaluation by our forest experts, the survival rate of the planted seedlings is 98.4% attributed from having a good weather, careful planning prior to the actual tree planting activities as well as the expertise and strong commitment of the people who are involved into the project.

This year, we intend to maintain and even surpass the survival rate of last year`s tree planting activities. With the help of tsunami survivors, 90,000 pieces of black pine seeds were sown and scheduled to be transplanted in the project site in two years. A total of 49,822 black pine seedlings were planted in 9.74 hectares while less than 500 broad leaf species of seedlings were also planted by volunteers. We are also maintaining the 130,000 black pine seedlings grown in our two nurseries to be transplanted next year.

Meanwhile, the organization`s efforts in the disaster recovery work is now gradually recognized within and outside Japan as manifested by the “Good Life Award” from the Ministry of Environment and “Japan Resilience Award” from the Association for Resilience Japan during the Third UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) which was held from March 14 to 18 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture.

In the span of 10 years, we intend to rehabilitate a total of 100 hectares of coastal forest. Considered as a green infrastructure project due to its scope, timeline and objective to establish a natural barrier to help mitigate the impact of natural disasters; OISCA needs to raise a total of 12,000,000 USD to guarantee the successful implementation of the project. So far we have raised only 30% of the total budget and we are still working on massive lobbying to gain support and assistance in any form from various sectors of society.

Tsunami survivors while hauling the seedlings.

tsunami survivors sowing black pine seeds.

Volunteers help in the project

Black pine seedlings in the container pots

OISCA representative receiving the Good Life Award

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Feb 13, 2015
An open letter to our supporters!

By Suzuki Eiji | President, Association for Restoration of Coastal

volunteers helping in the project maintenance.

To our dear friends worldwide,

Our life changed drastically due to the tsunami at the time of the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011. We were living in a coastal village named Kitakama, located in the east of Sendai Airport, in Natori City, Miyagi Prefecture. About 400 people, mostly farmers, were living in 100 residential houses. 55 residents lost their lives in the tsunami disaster. We lost all of a sudden our living just in one day.

Under such a situation, we were completely at a loss. In May 2011, staff of OISCA came to visit Natori for an on-site survey of possible restoration of the damaged seashore forest.

Through its long experience of carrying out worldwide activities, OISCA recognized the important role of seashore forests in fighting against natural disasters, for windbreak and prevention of flying sands and tidal waves. Together with us, OISCA launched a project to plant 500,000 black pine trees in an area covering 100 hectares to restore the damaged coastal forest.

Through the twists and turns, we held a tree-planting ceremony in May 2014 and planted about 80,000 black pine seedlings said to be resistant to insects over 15-hectare land. In spite of the severe coastal environment where salty wind constantly blows, the seedlings have been steadily growing thanks to the dedicated efforts of the disaster-affected farmers.

Before the disaster, Kitakama was a melon and Chinese cabbage (qing-geng-cai) producing area. The coastal forest also protects agricultural crops from the cold sea breeze. Since it was started to plant trees for the restoration of the coastal forest indispensable for agriculture, there has been a new momentum for the renaissance of agricultural crop producing area. The improvement and development work of the adjacent agricultural land has made progress and about 300 units of green houses were built. We can finally see a bright light in the development of new infrastructure for our living. This year, we are going to start making preparations for vegetable production.

The Coastal Forest Restoration Project is not only limited to the restoration of the “hardware and functions” such as the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, salty wind, wind-blown sands and tidal waves, but will also significantly contribute to the restoration of the “heart and mind” to rebuild our community with our own hands.

This is the 4^th year since the Coastal Forest Restoration Project was implemented. But black pine trees do not grow in a brief space of time, and sustained efforts are required for a long time to come. We are firmly determined to work very hard for restoring “beautiful stretch of sandy beach dotted with green pine trees”.

We strongly request for your continued support for and participation in our Project.

Eiji Suzuki
President
Association for Restoration of Coastal Forest in Natori City

Aerial view of the project.

The local farmers are now growing vegetables.

Suzuki Eiji showing the tsunami damage.

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Dec 25, 2014
Until they were gone

By Moeko Shinohara | GlobalGiving In-the-Field Program Coordinator

Mr.Mori&Otomo with GlobalGiving funded warehouse

Moeko is an In-the-Field Program's DC office staff, who had a chance to visit OISCA's project in Japan, where she is from. This is a postcard on her visit.

"We did not realize how they [the pine trees on the coast] have guarded our lives from the sea - from its wind, tide, and sand - until they were gone" says Mr. Mori, one of the community members of the OISCA's project. The forest, for a long time, had prevented the sea side city from many sea/salt-induced damages that could have occurred, until the Tsunami brutally washed away the people's lives, livelihoods, and most of the forest on the coast. More than 80% of the city formerly had engaged in agriculture. The damage of Tsunami was detrimental for survivors to rebuild their lives on agriculture. In fact Tsunami left sea salt on the ground.

The good news is that the Restoring the Coastal Forest Project has got a great team! It's got a well respected and connected local leader Mr. Suzuki who is a former teacher and owner of a parking lot in Sendai Airport. Mr. Yoshida from OISCA was successful in pulling Mr. Sasaki in, an excellent expert who previously headed the Forestry Management Office of Japan's Forestry Agency in Tohoku region, as a local coordinator. I only met handful members of the community, but I saw vibrant activities through them with trust, care, and efforts being put into the huge 10-year project. I was thanked by the team, so, on behalf of you, GlobalGivers, I received the gratitude.

"The project's job opportunity has helped our lives, and helped becoming reconnected with my former neighbors" says Mr. Otomo, another member of the community. Tsunami displaced survivors who were living the area. Community members learn to raise and take care pine seedlings, and get paid for the time they work. The seedlings of pines are raised with great care so that they could minimize loss/ failure to root. The long term goal they (the members, mostly elderly) see is to start this forest for the next generations to then foster, and to create a disaster resilient community.

I saw the spirit of learning from the failure [past] and being creative on solutions with limited resources, because "it's the nature we are dealing with" as Mr. Sugawara from OISCA put.

Mr. Sasaki giving explanation on pine seedlings

Mr.Suzuki's previous house - kept after Tsunami

Pine been planted this year. One day become forest

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