C. W. Nicol is a Japanese citizen and the C. W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust is a Japanese foundation, however, 'Uncle Nic' also speaks English and our trust has English-speaking members. This little corner is to keep in touch with them and for any of our Japanese friends who might like to polish their English.

April 2010.

A MESSAGE FROM THE AFAN WOODLAND

   Thank you, dear members and friends, for having supported us over the years. We greatly appreciate you.
   With the terrible earthquakes and tsunami that so severely damaged northeast Japan in March, compounded by the on-going nuclear disaster, Japan has reached a crossroad. We all feel a deep sadness; our hearts go out to all those who have lost family members, homes and workplaces. All of us have lost friends. At the same time I personally have never felt more pride in having gained Japanese citizenship; to see how the nation faces it all with a special dignity and social calm. It is heartening to get so much sympathy and support from the international community at all levels. We in Japan thank you, and will never forget.
   I am sure that Japan can and will rebuild. Once the people are housed, the debris cleared and the social infrastructure rebuilt, the next task will be to tackle the awful sense of loss, despair, and uncertainty for the future. I am convinced now more than ever that the best way to do this is to bring back vibrant forests, streams, meadows and farmland. Unpolluted, oxygen-rich river systems, running from our many mountains, can nurture natural life in wetlands, but we must recreate them. Such wetlands in turn will filter and enrich coastal waters. Recovery of our marine habitat and fisheries can begin. A long and selfish neglect must be reversed. It is Japan's unique and diverse nature that can now inspire work and a belief in the future. The Afan Woodland Trust wishes to do all we can towards this goal and to reach out to those who have been traumatised by all these terrible recent advents.


AFAN EMERGENCY PROJECT
   For seven years now the Afan Woodland Trust has been inviting orphanage children, as well as children who are visually and otherwise challenged, to come, play and explore our woods. We have seen some wonderful effects of this project, which we called 'Kokoro no Mori' (Forest of the Heart) So far some five hundred and fifty young guests have taken part in the program. We have gained invaluable experience. We are now preparing an additional program to invite children who have lost family members and homes in the recent disasters. We sincerely believe that healthy forests are places of healing.


OPENING THE AFAN WOODLAND TO OUR MEMBERS
   We have decided to open the trust woods to our members. Up until now this has usually been with guided tours and supervised volunteer work parties. Now we wish to enter into the real meaning of 'trust' and to let you come to stroll and relax. Spring is just around the corner, bringing new growth and life. Even if for a short time, our lovely woods might help ease sadness and worry. There will be some rules, and we won't be able to guide you when there is urgent and on-going work in the woods, but you are welcome. We will do all we can to talk to you and enjoy your presence, but please understand that the woods need us too. Please let us know before you come so that we don't put too much burden on the wildlife with too many folk arriving at the same time.


A NATURAL PLAN FOR NATIONAL RECOVERY
   Long before the earthquake and tsunami, we have been urging the government to support a renaissance in forestry. I and friends have talked directly to the Prime Minister about this. We should set a determined goal for Japan to become as independent as possible in timber production. It can be done. Our new centre, including the furniture, is constructed entirely with Japanese lumber and local stone.(Although we did use Australian wool for insulation) We must bring greater diversity and health to forests and woodlands that have been neglected for decades. This will improve the growth and quality of the lumber, provide a far more diverse natural environment, as well as a greater variety of forest related jobs.
   We need to restore health and diversity to the streams and rivers whose wildlife and habitat have been damaged by thoughtless concrete and careless pollution. This can be achieved without increasing the danger of floods. Until a few decades ago Japan had one of the richest freshwater fisheries in the world. If these fisheries and their habitat are restored then rural and urban scenery and lifestyles will improve. Healthy rivers can gradually heal the damage done to Japan's coastline.
   Forest care is not only about timber and the protection of watersheds, they are also a sustainable source of food in the form of wild mountain vegetables, wild and cultivated wood mushrooms. Deer and wild boar need to be culled, and this is a rich and sustainable source of protein.
   Forests, wisely used as places of education and healing, can have another major human impact on the nation's economy because sick and distressed people find it hard or impossible to work. Moreover, the cost of medication escalates each year and is bound to be affected by the aftermath of the disasters.
   With care, thought and planning we can utilize forest biomass for energy; for example, in drying lumber or for heating the homes and schools of forest, river and farm workers. We should remember the remarkable independence of the Edo period, of how for two hundred and sixty-eight years Japan recycled everything and abolished waste. We can do an even better job now with modern technology, and after all, the Japanese have long been famed for inventiveness and reliability. There is so much we can do! We can invest more in solar energy; or extract flammable methane and vital phosphate from sewage. We presently import nearly all phosphates so urgently needed for agriculture, and the world supply of this commodity is on the wane. We can improve on already available technology, lead the world in phosphate recovery while at the same time becoming self sufficient.


   The Afan Woodland Trust will endeavor to co-operate with other groups and comrades, both in Japan and abroad, aiming for diversity, sustainability, physical and spiritual health, all combined with a belief in the future.
   Japan cannot successfully rebuild by challenging and confronting nature with huge, costly artificial barriers. Surely, with humility, respect, understanding and love we must all work with nature, not against it.

C.W. Nicol
Chairman,
The C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust
Nagano,
Japan.
April 2nd. 2011.

Past Contents

January 2010.    "A LETTER FROM UNCLE NIC"

October 2009.    "GROUND-BREAKING FOR OUR NEW AFAN CENTRE"

September 2009.    "TWINNED FOREST"

June 2009.    "GREEN BANKS"