Observe insects and thinking about the importance of forests
The 2nd Summer Nature Tour was held in collaboration with Kiyota Ward of Sapporo City on August 3, 2024.
Participants gathered at Amino Up Co., Ltd. and received a lecture on the insects that can be observed in the forest surrounding the Amino Up facility. After learning the precautions on entering the forest, the participants entered the forest and observed the insects caught in traps, which were set by professional nature guides the day before. In addition to insects such as stag beetles and rhinoceros beetles, frogs were observed in the forest. After exploring the forest, the participants moved to the grassland and collected insects including grasshoppers, dragonflies, and butterflies.
The elementary school students who participated in the tour cheered every time they found insects. The tour guide explained to the children how the forest is kept clean by insects that eat animal carcasses and droppings, and how invasive species can change the environment. The children were able to feel the environment in which insects live up close and also realized the importance of forests.
In 2011, Amino Up expanded its current company building, called “Eco House”, and AHCC factory. This expansion work incorporated various mechanisms that took the surrounding environment into consideration.
Since the expansion, Amino Up regularly conducts environmental surveys around the facility site to check the impact of the expansion work and subsequent business activities on the surrounding environment. As a result of the surveys conducted over the past 10 years, it was found that there has been no significant change in the habitat of animals and plants around the Amino Up factory even after the expansion, and that the factory has been adapted to the surrounding environment.
In order to share such surrounding environmental surveys with local residents, Amino Up has been working with the Sapporo City Kiyota Ward Office since 2022 to carry out a social contribution activity called “Nature Tours.” Amino Up and Sapporo city residents observe the local natural environment and think together about the importance of environmental conservation.
[Event Information]
Event: Kiyota Ward the 2nd Summer Nature Tour ~Observe insects~
Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024
Organizers: Sapporo City Kiyota Ward Office, Amino Up Co., Ltd.
Tour guide: Econics Co., Ltd
Participants: 50 Sapporo residents