Yatsu-higata Nature Observation Center

Volunteer Activities

This page explains the activities of volunteers at the Observation Center and it is maintained by the volunteers.

The role of volunteers at the Observation Center is to guide the visitors,to teach them about the wildlife and explain the ecosystem.

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What does the volunteer of the Observation Center do?

Volunteers at the Observation Center represent the goals of the Center. Observation Center volunteers do not need special knowledge or skills, just the desire to help visitors at the center in every way possible. Anyone can become a volunteer at the center from High school student.

The Observation Center is an institution which values the natural environment and wildlife, and wishes to teach our visitors about the "higata" (tidal flat). We program events such as lectures and nature tours. The volunteers and staff work together to maintain the exhibits and facilities.

The center is managed by the Narashino City, but we feel that involving volunteers and citizen is important. There are 130 volunteers from the age 15 to 80.

The staffs and volunteers work together to carry out events at the center.

The center cannot pay volunteers for transportation or food expenses. Volunteers are covered by the center insurance policy in case of an accident.

You may register to be a volunteer at any time of the year.

Volunteer orientation meetings are held every year.

Activity Menu

There are various activities which we request volunteers to help with such as environmental education, environmental management and facility management.

Group Activity
Individial Activity
Class Studies

1. Group Activity
This activity is carried out by Groups formed by volunteers.
	Kamishibai Project We make Picture Drama Shows that stars birds and living creatures of Yatsu-higata. The play opens with the sound of a wooden clapper. The show presented from the back of a bicycle is reminiscent of the past. There are 3-5 performers for each play and it is a lot of fun. The regular show: the 3rd Sunday of every month. The members: 60 years + people that have lots of life experience - able to partake in various discussions, and sometimes younger men and women as well. Click Here for More Information
	Toy's Factory Our group started from the idea of trying to get visiting children to develop interest in the wetlands through play. To date some of the items we have made are: stuffed toys and mats of wetland creatures, picture book (Spotbill duck named "Ai-chan"), puzzle (bird puzzle, dice puzzle, wetland restaurant), bird costumes, Yatsu-higata ‘karuta’ * playing cards, bird cap ,and so on. These hand made products are displayed in various locations around the center and attract the attension of the children. There are "origami" classes and ‘karuta’ card game matches on the Yatsu-higata Day and during the winter vacation. Our goal is a toy's factory where people have lots of fun and get engaged in the wetlands. * karuta playing cards – A Japanese card game. The basic idea of a karuta game is to be able to quickly determine which card out of an array of cards is required and then to grab the card before it is grabbed by an opponent. Click Here for More Information
	Bird Carving Group Our group make bird carvings of Yatsu-higata's birds to serve as teaching materials in the center. We are beginners, but our works are interesting. There are also classes where people are able to learn about the birds morphology through bird carving. It is a lot of work to prepare the materials for the classes, but the smiles of the students when they complete the bird carvings are unforgettable. The regular activity is on the 4th Sunday of every month, from 10am to 3pm. There are two classrooms for the visitors. One is "plover brooch making" in June, and another is "Summer family bird carving classes" in August (two days). There are staff training courses in February and March. Click Here for More Information
	Nature Information Team Nature Information Team conducts activities twice a month. On the first Tuesday of every month, we make a bulletin board about trees, flowers and insects around wetlands. On the 3rd Tuesday of every month, we focus on creating name tags of trees and/or making simple guide books. Click Here for More Information
	Newsletter Editorial Group Our group produces newsletters for the center and the volunteers. [Activity] We release quartely newsletters. Two months before publication, we have an editing meeting. One month before publication, we confirm the manuscripts and type them into the PC and proofread them. 2 weeks before publication, we complete proofreading by staff. Two days before publication, it goes to print, and on the last day it is the distributed. To date, we have released 100 issues. We have 4 members. [Contents]: 1) Current data of the volunteer activities and the events of the center; 2) Update on the aims of the exchange; 3) Dissemination of the upcoming volunteer activities, and 4) Introduction of the volunteer persons, and so on. We welcome your participation with us! Click Here for More Information
	Burakan Mates Burakan Mates manages the "Buratto" (Trans = Casual) Observation Walking group. We have 17 members, and we are all bird lovers. "Buratto" Walking activity is predominantly targeted for beginners. Every session involves interpretation and information of the birds present in Yatsu-higata that season, and we teach people how to use binoculars. The veteran members will be happy to teach bird watching techniques, and additionally, every last Saturday we have Self "Buratto" Walking and Self "Buratto" Walking lessons to seek level up of the member's skills. "Buratto" Walking takes place at 10:00 until 12:30 every first Sunday. Please come and join us! Click Here for More Information
	Great Reed Warbler Study Group This group, with just 10 members, in the spring time has been making observations of the "Great Reed Warbler" that migrates from down south for the past 21 years.Sixteen years ago, they submitted to the research magazine named "Strix" presented by Wild Bird Society of Japan, their research results on the habitat information of the Great Reed Warbler. We have issued a summarized Research Report of the Great Reed Warbler in Yatsu-higata on 2020. Click Here for More Information
	Library Group There is a book corner on the first floor in the underground section of the center. Here there are books related to nature, environment, and various nature information papers that reach us each month from various locations. Visitors can use these resources for study and the examination of the living creatures that they see it in the tidal flats. It is the Library Group who support the management of these resources. We do monthly management tasks and additionally we have story reading sessions where picture books are read out to both small children and adults. Please visit the books corner when you come to the center. We are currently recruiting members, please contact the center if you are interested in joining. Click Here for More Information
	Yatsu Kids Exploration Team The activity is carried out on the afternoon of the third Sunday every month. We plan and execute an observational group targeted for elementary school students called "The Yatsu-higata Children's Expedition Party" which observe the habitat and plants of Yatsu-higata. Why don't you step into the "Higata" (tidal flat) with the children, and observe the life and the value of the life of the tidal flat? Please call the Yatsu-higata Observation Center to participate. Click Here for More Information
	Yatsu-higata Plankton Research Group Our group observe and keep records of planktons to be shown to visitors. Once a month, we carry out regular sampling of planktons using a plankton net in Yatsu creek's watercourse near the Yatsu-higata Observation Center. We make observations and recordings using microscopes and monitors and show it to the participants. For the center visitors, we hold activities such as the Plankton Observation Corner (Every first Saturday afternoon), Plankton Observation (three times a year; requires booking), and Summer Holiday Living Things Exhibition - "Yatsu-higata Research Room". Please join our group to experience and share with the visitors the wonderful rich world that can be found in a simple drop of water! Click Here for More Information
	Yoshizu Group The Yoshizu (Reed Screen) Group started with the idea of getting the visitors to see and experience that there are great uses for the reeds harvested during the Yatsu-higata Fresh Water Management activities. It takes time to make Reed Screens, but there is great satisfaction when we complete the screens and everyone enjoys the activity - including the group members. During the summer vacation, we hold "Yoshizu Family Classes". Come and let's make some Reed Screens together! Click Here for More Information
	Homepage Group The purpose of this activity is to promote the volunteer work at the center within and also outside Japan. We introduce various volunteer activities in Japanese and English. In addition, we are receiving the latest activity information from groups or by directly gathering information; we are currently creating a new page that features updates or new activities undertaken by centre volunteers. We hope this homepage will not only promote the volunteer activities, but will also be utilised to present research results and information. Click Here for More Information
	Gardening Group Our group take care of the flowers of the garden and planters in the front square of the Observation Center. We also raise plants which eventually become ingredientes of honey for bees and butterflies. Click Here for More Information
	Yatsu-higata Youth The initiative of this group is lead mainly by high school and college students who are motivated by the desire to “learn more about Yatsu-higata” and “do something for Yatsu-higata”. They are actively engaged in independent projects for the conservation and “wise use” of Yatsu-higata.
2. Individual Activity
These are activities led by individual volunteers.
	Visitor's Guide Answers visitor's enquiries on wild birds or the Higata (tidal flat). The center aims at increasing the people's interest for wild birds and tidal flats, and the volunteers achieve this aim by having direct interaction with visitors. This is the foundation of the volunteer activities. Click Here for More Information
	Freshwater Pond Management Cutting the grass around the pond south of the center is undertaken by volunteers. Though not an official activity, everyone participates with enthusiasm and is enjoyed by all. Click Here for More Information
	Supporting the Yatsu-higata Day Yatsu-higata Day, is held every year in June to commemorate the registration of Yatsu-higata under the Ramsar Convention. The volunteers support symposiums, observation activities, orientation of visitors, and other roles throughout the event. Click Here for More Information
3. Class Studies
These are lectures which the Center holds and study meetings which the volunteers carry out independently.
	Introductory Cource for Volunteers This group focuses on those who wishes to be volunteers at the center. The students study the rudimentary knowledge and the technique needed for volunteer guiding. The course is in five times series from spring to autumn. For further information please see the event information. Click Here for More Information
	Class for Volunteers Students learn necessary knowledge and the technique needed to become a volunteer. It is a study meeting concerning indispensable skills for wild birds, tidal flats, nature and societal volunteer works. For example, themes include "Identification of the sandpipers and plovers" or Nature explanation (interpretation) techniques", and so on.

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