[Event Report] 79 Participants Join Yamada Bee Farm's "Tree Nurturing Festival" on Saturday, May 16, Wishing for the Healthy Growth of Saplings

Yamada Bee Farm Co., Ltd. (Location: Kagamino, Tomata District, Okayama Prefecture; President & CEO: Hideo Yamada) held the "2026 World Bee Day Yamada Bee Farm Tree Nurturing Festival" on Saturday, May 16, in Kagamino, Okayama, an event tied to the international commemoration of "World Bee Day" (May 20). On the day, a total of 79 participants from both inside and outside the prefecture took part, experiencing the important role of "nurturing a forest" in a fun, sensory way. ■ What is "Tree Nurturing"? ~Beyond Just "Planting"~ Generally, tree planting is often thought to have its goal in the act of "planting trees," but in reality, the care after planting is the crucial key to a forest's healthy growth. Especially in the early stages of planting, the growth of surrounding weeds can outpace the saplings, blocking sunlight and nutrients. If left unattended, the saplings can often wither and die. Therefore, it is necessary to perform regular weeding to create an environment where they can firmly take root and grow. In this Tree Nurturing Festival, participants gathered around the small saplings planted last November and carefully removed the surrounding weeds one by one. Even those who initially had the impression that "weeding seems tough" were smiling as they saw the saplings, once hidden by weeds, emerge and bask in the sunlight. ■ Participant Comments ◇ "We all weeded and it feels so refreshed, so I have high hopes for the future growth of the trees." ◇ "It was very fun and rewarding. I spent a fulfilling time re-evaluating the natural environment." Our company, with "coexistence between the natural environment and people" at the core of its corporate philosophy, will continue to engage in environmental conservation activities, including tree planting, to pass on a beautiful Earth to future generations. [Image captions: Saplings covered in weeds; The scene after weeding at the Tree Nurturing Festival] ■ What is "World Bee Day" (May 20)? "World Bee Day" is an international day established by the United Nations in 2017. It was created with the aim of raising global awareness about the importance of bees in supporting our food supply and maintaining ecological balance, and the need for their protection.