Sagawa Express Holds Results Presentation for Environmental Education Program at "Takao 100-Year Forest"

Sagawa Express Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minami-ku, Kyoto City; President: Kimiaki Sasamori), a member of the SG Holdings Group, held a presentation of results for its environmental education program "Takao Green High School" (hereinafter, "this program"), which utilizes the company-owned forest "Takao 100-Year Forest" located in Hachioji City, Tokyo, as its field.
This program aims to deepen local junior and senior high school students' understanding of the regional natural environment and to foster highly specialized individuals who will be responsible for future environmental conservation, by providing a practical learning environment for biodiversity. Participants have engaged in observation and research throughout the year in their areas of interest, such as aquatic organisms, insects, birds, and plants, receiving technical advice and support from experts. Through the accumulation of such real-world experiences, this program serves as an opportunity for the younger generation, who will lead the next era, to proactively engage with the local natural environment and deepen their expertise.

◆Overview of the Results Presentation

・Date and Time: Monday, March 30, 2026

・Venue: Sagawa Express Tokyo Head Office (Koto-ku, Tokyo)

・Number of Participants: 59 (Tokyo Metropolitan Hachioji Higashi High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Minamitama Secondary Education School, Eimeikan Junior and Senior High School, Kogakuin University Junior and Senior High School, St. Paul's Gakuen High School, Tokyo Junshin Girls' Junior and Senior High School, Hachioji City, Ecology Path Co., Ltd., Sustainable Promotion Organization, Future Vision Council)

・Content: At the results presentation, students reported their observation results and analysis obtained through fieldwork. The current state and challenges of the regional natural environment, as well as proposals for conservation, were shared.

◆Message from Mr. Sato, Sustainable Promotion Organization

"We have been working on projects to conserve satoyama (traditional Japanese agricultural landscapes) targeting youth, such as university students and young professionals, who will lead the next generation. From 2025, within a 100-year timeframe, we launched a biodiversity survey of satoyama by junior and senior high school students in Hachioji City to further expand the circle of generations. In a forest that has been preserved and maintained by successive generations of youth, the next generation is now showing interest in the forest's diversity, feeling closer to the forest, and satoyama conservation is evolving into a wonderful cycle that will be passed on and spiraled up to future generations."

◆Messages from Participating Schools

Introduced below in no particular order.

"A season has passed since we were fortunate enough to receive this offer.

Although I had visited Mt. Takao many times for flying squirrel surveys, it was difficult for a single club to apply for and obtain regular data by installing sensor cameras, so I personally had a valuable experience.

The interaction with students of the same age in Hachioji City and the knowledge provided by facilitators were real-world experiences that could not be gained within the school. In addition to 7 on-site surveys throughout the year, flexibly responding to bears and weather conditions, we also presented a poster titled 'Sensor Camera Survey Results in Ura-Takao' at the Tokyo Biological Club Federation in February, based on the data obtained. The Excel conversion of thousands of sensor camera photos for Sunday activities and presentations was a painstaking task, and I was able to learn about the resilience and infinite potential of our club members. I am grateful to the Takao forest for nurturing us and to everyone who provided this opportunity." (Kogakuin University Junior and Senior High School)

"This year, four second-year high school students from our school participated in the activities. All four seemed to enjoy the activities, and I, as their chaperone, also had a fun and meaningful time. It was particularly impressive to see a student, whom I thought was not very expressive, get excited upon finding a planarian. They also looked proud when noticed by students from other schools. Also, during the vegetation survey, when the facilitator explained about mowed areas and unmowed areas, the students exclaimed, 'That's what we learned in Basic Biology!' I hope to participate again next year."

(Tokyo Junshin Girls' Junior and Senior High School)

"In the process of conducting various surveys to understand nature, I realized the complexity and subtlety of nature that we usually overlook. From this experience, I have become even more eager to learn about and interact with nature. The refreshing feeling I experienced every time I entered the forest was healing and invigorating. I am deeply grateful to everyone at Sagawa Express and the facilitators for all their support." (Eimeikan Junior and Senior High School)

"By applying the methods learned in the facilitator-led surveys to subsequent independent surveys, the quality of our activities improved. Also, by conducting joint surveys with students from other schools, we had opportunities to discuss our interests, which stimulated and motivated us. These interactions led to inter-school exchange meetings later on, fostering new relationships. I feel that the activities in 'Takao 100-Year Forest' are not only enhancing expertise and enriching activities but also developing into community-rooted environmental education and inter-school relationship building." (Tokyo Metropolitan Minamitama Secondary Education School)

"The field-specific surveys with the facilitators left a strong impression. It was impressive to see the students actively engaged in activities while receiving direct instruction from experts. As it can be difficult for teachers alone to deepen students' specialized knowledge, I believe this was a very valuable opportunity for students who love nature."

(St. Paul's Gakuen High School)

"At the Takao Forest Nature Observation Meeting, under the valuable environment of 'Takao 100-Year Forest,' many expert teachers facilitated the program. Thanks to them, students visibly felt their learning deepen in each session. In particular, the experts' unique 'perspectives' shown through various surveys were of great value, and by acquiring these 'perspectives,' students must have enhanced their resolution of what they observe in nature. I am confident that such experiences will lead to students' ability to proactively gain rich learning from nature in the future." (Tokyo Metropolitan Hachioji Higashi High School)

Sagawa Express will continue to implement environmental conservation activities and educational programs in collaboration with local communities. By creating opportunities for the younger generation to proactively address environmental issues, we aim to support a sustainable future together with the community.

Takao 100-Year Forest Project | Sagawa Express Co., Ltd.