[International Day for Biological Diversity] St. Cousair Accelerates Forest Conservation at Certified 'Natural Symbiosis Site' with New AI Acoustic Analysis
St. Cousair Co., Ltd. is scaling up its 11-year forest conservation efforts at its 'St. Cousair Forest' in Shinano, Nagano, recently certified as a national 'Natural Symbiosis Site.' Starting April 2026, the company launched Nagano's first AI-driven acoustic biodiversity monitoring in collaboration with the National Institute for Environmental Studies. Through employee-led initiatives and scientific research, the company aims to contribute to a nature-positive future.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 22, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 22, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 27, 2026 at 01:14 (106h 42m after Collected)
St. Cousair Co., Ltd. (HQ: Iizuna, Nagano; President: Ryota Kuze), in alignment with the International Day for Biological Diversity on May 22, has announced its latest conservation activities at the 'St. Cousair Forest.' Embracing the theme 'Acting locally for global impact,' the company is accelerating its contribution to a nature-positive world.
## Certification and Legacy
The 'St. Cousair Forest,' covering approximately 160,000 sqm around the Shinano office, has been under scientific management since 2014 in partnership with Shinshu University's Forest Ecology Lab. With over 1,000 species identified, the area's ecological richness led to its official certification as a 'Natural Symbiosis Site' by the Japanese government in December 2025.
## Innovative AI Acoustic Analysis
In April 2026, the company began participating in a joint research project with the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the Nagano Environmental Conservation Research Institute. This marks the first instance in Nagano where a certified site uses AI to analyze acoustic data for biodiversity monitoring. IC recorders installed in the forest capture the sounds of birds, insects, and frogs, which are then processed by AI to visualize seasonal trends and species presence.
## Employee-Led Initiatives
A key characteristic of St. Cousair's approach is active employee participation:
- **Nature Watching**: An annual event for employees and their families since 2016. The 11th session includes plant observation, insect collecting, and tasting wild herb salads.
- **Forest Maintenance**: In April 2026, employee volunteers performed vine removal and stone clearing. This improves forest health and enhances regional safety by reducing hiding spots for wildlife like bears.
- **Special Classroom**: Started in 2024, these sessions featuring guest experts help employees rediscover the value of nature even during the winter months.
## Future Outlook
Beyond its own forest, St. Cousair has sponsored the C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust since 2019. The company remains committed to local collaboration and the construction of a society that coexists in harmony with nature for generations to come.
## Certification and Legacy
The 'St. Cousair Forest,' covering approximately 160,000 sqm around the Shinano office, has been under scientific management since 2014 in partnership with Shinshu University's Forest Ecology Lab. With over 1,000 species identified, the area's ecological richness led to its official certification as a 'Natural Symbiosis Site' by the Japanese government in December 2025.
## Innovative AI Acoustic Analysis
In April 2026, the company began participating in a joint research project with the National Institute for Environmental Studies and the Nagano Environmental Conservation Research Institute. This marks the first instance in Nagano where a certified site uses AI to analyze acoustic data for biodiversity monitoring. IC recorders installed in the forest capture the sounds of birds, insects, and frogs, which are then processed by AI to visualize seasonal trends and species presence.
## Employee-Led Initiatives
A key characteristic of St. Cousair's approach is active employee participation:
- **Nature Watching**: An annual event for employees and their families since 2016. The 11th session includes plant observation, insect collecting, and tasting wild herb salads.
- **Forest Maintenance**: In April 2026, employee volunteers performed vine removal and stone clearing. This improves forest health and enhances regional safety by reducing hiding spots for wildlife like bears.
- **Special Classroom**: Started in 2024, these sessions featuring guest experts help employees rediscover the value of nature even during the winter months.
## Future Outlook
Beyond its own forest, St. Cousair has sponsored the C.W. Nicol Afan Woodland Trust since 2019. The company remains committed to local collaboration and the construction of a society that coexists in harmony with nature for generations to come.
FAQ
サンクゼールの森が国から認定された「自然共生サイト」とは何ですか？
地域生物多様性増進法に基づき、民間の取組等によって生物多様性の保全が図られている区域として国（環境省）が認定する仕組みです。サンクゼールの森は2025年12月に認定されました。
2026年4月から開始されたAI音響解析調査の内容は？
国立環境研究所や長野県環境保全研究所等と協力し、森に設置したICレコーダーで鳥、昆虫、カエルの鳴き声を収集。AIで学習・解析することで、生き物の出現状況や季節変動を科学的に可視化します。
サンクゼールの森林保全活動にはどのような特徴がありますか？
2014年から信州大学と連携した植生調査を行っているほか、従業員自らが主体的に関わるのが特徴です。自然観察会「ネイチャーウォッチング」や、クマ対策を兼ねた草刈り・石拾いなどの整備活動を従業員有志で実施しています。
これまでの調査でサンクゼールの森では何種類の生き物が確認されていますか？
これまでの調査により、植物・昆虫・鳥類など約1,000種の多様な生き物が確認されており、豊かな生態系を有することが分かっています。
サンクゼールは自社の森以外にどのような環境支援を行っていますか？
2019年より「一般財団法人C.W.ニコル・アファンの森財団」のオフィシャルスポンサーとして、外部の森林保全活動への支援も継続しています。