The Yakushima Environmental Culture Foundation-

The Yakushima Environmental Culture Foundation was inaugurated in March, 1993 by Kagoshima Prefecture, Kamiyaku Town and Yaku Town. The foundation is the central organization devoted to the promotion of "Yakushima Environmental Culture Village".　
　In order to preserve the nature of Yakushima and to create a new community coexisting with nature, the foundation implements various projects such as Nature Protection Activities, Environmental Preservation Support Projects and Community Development Support Projects.
　The foundation is also commissioned by Kagoshima Prefecture to manage and operate the "Yakushima Environmental Culture Village Center" and "Yakushima Environmental Culture Learning Center".

Undertakings of the foundation

Environmental Preservation Support Programs
Basic Education on environmental preservation, as well as promotion and guidance for preservation efforts
(In order to protect Jomon Cedar and others, we assist with mountain patroles, distribution of educational pamphlets to mountain climbers, mountain path maintenance, etc)

Nature Protection Activities
Forestation and forest restoration projects, protection of loggerhead turtles
(Activities include raising Yakushima rhododendrons from seed to sapling to return to the forest, and cultivating shade plants to protect loggerhead turtles)

Environmental Education Programs
Operation of a volunteer network that plans, develops and implements a variety of environmental study programs
(organization events such as Yakushima Nature Experience Seminars and Yakushima Short Programs)

Cultural Projects
Issuing the foundation's newsletters, organizing events related to environmental conservation of Yakushima, engaging in support of community development
(Publishing the "Yakushima Report", organizing and participating in events commemorating the designation as World Natural Heritage, and others designed to introduce the activities of the Foundation both inside and outside Kagoshima Prefecture)

Management and operation of the core facilities of the Yakushima
Environmental Culture Village
Management of Yakushima Environmental Culture Village Center and Yakushima Environmental Culture Learning Center, core facilities of the Yakushima Environmental Culture Village Concept, the goal of protecting nature and building communities in harmony with nature