We have just seen the end of the 20th century, and now it’s just the beginning of the 21st century. However, what of the century of humanity? Has it been achieved yet?
There is no doubt that human beings have flourished on this planet; but have devastating effects on the eco-system of the earth. Our great ancestors had dreamed of the utopia as the century of humanity, but what we see today is far from what we have been longing for. We have just learnt that if we do not want the hopeless and helpless future, it must not be forgotten that having a goal of sustainable co-existence with other lives on the planet earth which has been flourishing for 45 hundred million years, is the key to the brighter future we have dreamed of once before.
Many of the people of today say “yes, I love nature”, but don’t you wonder what picture in their minds when they say that? Most of us didn’t grow up in pristine nature simply because there is not much such place left. Since we do not have live experiences in the nature, only the stereo-type picture and the concept are used when we refer to it. The natural word incapable of being felt by sense of smell and touch: this is what we see today. Centrally to our positive attitude toward nature, we are rent away from the nature.
 Something is wrong. Human life depends on nature. Having nature near by is like having enough nutrition to the body. To feel something in nature is the most important element for our lives. The best way to know nature is to go out and to feel it through your body, respectfully and accordingly to the rule. This is what we, Whole Earth Nature School suggest you.
The pioneer of nature school in Japan, the Whole Earth Nature School was established 25 years ago. Nowadays, there are over 2000 nature schools in operation. Because of our activity, its scale, and dissemination of the very idea of nature school as the social movement over Japan, we have gained great renown.
The reason why we think that the nature school is a part of social movement is based on our philosophy: the restoration of the view of nature in Japanese style will restore the value and dignity based on the richness of our minds in the society.
Whole Earth Nature School is a none-governmental organization. A “nature school” is a form of social movement to build a sustainable society. Taking this roll, we have been operating not like any existing type of organization. All of our staff members belong to Whole Earth Nature School, and also either Whole Earth Corporation or NPO Whole Earth Institute.
Japanese Ecotourism & Nature Experience Networks
NPO Japan Environmental Education Forum (JEF) |
Organized National Ecotourism Center with other expertise in the field of Ecotourism |
Council for Outdoor and Nature Experience（CONE） |
Mt.Fuji Council for Outdoor and Nature Experience（F-CONE） |
NPO Education for Sustainable Development in Japan (ESD-J) |
1982
Establishment of Whole Earth Nature School (starting as “Animal Farm”). We had livestock animals and provided animal and nature experience opportunities based on its self-sufficient lifestyle. |
1983
Started “Nomadic camping”
We placed its concepts on self-decision making and self-help. Children got real experience in nature through adventure and exploration.
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1984
Started “Nature School for schools”.
We provided nature experience programs for students during their school trips.
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1986
Introduced and spread sky sports such as hot-air ballooning and paragliding. |
1989
Nurturing specialists and specialist.
Opening a Learning course of Speleology (volcanic caves). |
1991
Whole Earth Caving Team found 22 new caves in Mt.Fuji area and Hachijo island. |
1992
Started a studying group of Eco-tourism
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1994
Developed Ecotour programs in Kamchatskaya, Borneo and Australia. Provided our nature experience programs for the most number of schools in Japan. |
1995
Built the head office of Rescue team at Higashi-nada primary school on Hanshin awaji earth quake. |
1998
Made all the facilities earthquake-durable at our Mt.Fuji main school, which enabled the school to operate as a rescue center in case of emergency.
Opened Okinawa branch school and started to collect 1% of every program fee for the compensation of environmental burden (first attempt in Japan). Donated 6 million yen to support various environmental organizations and activities in 2005.
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2000
| “Lake Tanuki Fureai sizenjuku(Lake Tanuki Nature school)” opened as the first national nature school. This is a project directed by Ministry of the environment and we carry out a part of its operation as a member of JEEF. |
2002
20th anniversary. Started projects in the area of international cooperation and community contribution.
Established NPO Whole Earth Institute (certified by the cabinet office). |
2004
Established a volunteer center in Kawaguchi-chou when Niigata earthquake struck the area. |
2005
Participated in Aichi Expo and set up a pavilion.
Also, cooperated to the project “Nature school of Forest and Countryside in Japan”. |
2006
80,000 people participated in our nature experience and eco tours in the year, including the participants at our school branches in Naha(Okinawa), Nago(Okinawa), Kashiwazaki(Niigata). |
2007
25th Anniversary.
Received the grand prize in Japan Eco-tourism Award. |
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