Activities of Our Natural Water Sanctuary Project Okutama With Tokyo University of Agriculture

Okutama Practice Forest Training Center

The Okutama Practice Forest Training Center serves as a base for research and practical training. A materials archive, built from prized timber donated primarily by alumni across Japan, is also housed on-site. Visitors can experience the texture and quality of the wood materials firsthand.

Okutama Practice Forest Training Center

Cutting-edge Research Using Data Measurement

At a weather observation station that monitors the forest and surrounding climate, essential data such as sunlight, temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed, and ground temperature are collected.

Weather observation station

Using a ground-based laser system, OWL*, measurements are taken of tree positions, height, diameter at chest height, and timber volume. The accuracy of the data has been verified, and there are plans to use this OWL measurement technology in other forests. The collected data is also referenced to help select which trees to be harvested.

OWL is a laser-based forest measurement device that generates digital forest data

Forest measurement results
(Image courtesy of AdIn Research, Inc.)

Building Nature-Friendly Logging Roads

To efficiently conduct forest surveys and conservation, and to safely remove trees harvested during management, it is essential to construct logging roads. However, conventional road-building methods often involve large-scale earth moving, which can place a burden on the environment.

Under our Natural Water Sanctuary Project Okutama with Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture, logging roads are built to be environmentally sensitive, durable, and long-lasting, avoiding disruptive techniques

Environmentally sensitive logging road

Stones and tree stumps found on-site were used in the construction. On the slopes created along both sides of the logging road, quick-growing mitsumata (Oriental paperbush) shrubs were planted. The roots help prevent soil erosion, and since deer do not favor this shrub, there is little risk of them being eaten.

Mitsumata plants (Oriental paperbush) help prevent soil erosion

Learn about nature-friendly logging roads

Effective Use of Harvested Trees (Ikurinzai – Timber from Cultivated Forests)

Trees harvested during forest management and other activities in our Natural Water Sanctuaries are known as ikurinzai — timber from cultivated forests — and are effectively used as materials for furniture and construction. Trees harvested as part of the Project Okutama with Tokyo Univ. of Agriculture have been used in the construction of a new research building at the University’s Setagaya Campus.

Ikurinzai – timber from cultivated forests

New research building at the Tokyo University of Agriculture Setagaya Campus (1F Grand Staircase)

Learn about effective use of harvested trees (Ikurinzai – timber from cultivated forests)