History of Satoyama Conservation Activities and Regional Revitalization - Hisaya District, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture In 2001, the Hisaya Satoyama Conservation Project began in the Hisaya district of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. Its goals were to restore the deteriorating satoyama landscape and revitalize the local community. This project was developed through cooperation between the local company Matsuyama Environmental Development Co., Ltd. and residents, aiming for sustainable development.

History of Satoyama Conservation Activities and Regional Revitalization - Hisaya District, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture In 2001, the Hisaya Satoyama Conservation Project began in the Hisaya district of Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture. Its goals were to restore the deteriorating satoyama landscape and revitalize the local community. This project was developed through cooperation between the local company Matsuyama Environmental Development Co., Ltd. and residents, aiming for sustainable development.

Initial activities included planting 5,000 broadleaf and coniferous trees annually and implementing the "River Guardians" program to improve the water quality of the clear-flowing Ishite River. By the early 2010s, the planted area reached 50 hectares, showing signs of ecosystem recovery, such as the return of wild boars and raccoon dogs. Furthermore, production of the local specialty "Kutani Tea" increased by 30%, and visitor numbers to the tourist farm exceeded 20,000 annually. Entering the 2020s, the initiative expanded further. The cumulative number of trees planted surpassed 200,000, and the target area expanded to over 100 hectares. Moreover, the COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand) of the Ishite River improved to 7mg/L, and the arrival of fireflies gained attention as a tourist attraction. In 2019, the number of tourists reached 35,000 annually, with 5,000 visitors participating in nature experience programs at the newly established "Kutani Ecotourism Center."

However, challenges for the 2020s have also emerged. Frequent abnormal weather events due to climate change caused 3% of the planted area to be lost to landslides. Additionally, the proliferation of the invasive species, Japanese knotweed, and a decline in volunteer numbers due to the aging local population present challenges. To address this, Matsuyama Environmental Development Co., Ltd. has introduced tree-planting support robots utilizing AI technology, initiating efforts to streamline activities across the entire region. Furthermore, the "Kutani Future Fund" has been established to strengthen the foundation of activities while soliciting donations nationwide. For over 20 years, satoyama conservation activities in the Kutani area have pursued sustainable development and achieved significant results. The 2020s mark a crucial phase where, building on the success of nature conservation, new challenges are being overcome while local residents and businesses collaborate to forg
e a path forward.