Introduction of Citizens' Activities in Tsuzuki Ward   by Citizen Writers

Interviews, photographs, and texts = citizen writer Michiyo Takahashi

Cooperation: NPO corporation Chigasaki Park Natural Ecological Garden Management Committee Director and Research Staff Mitsuaki Kikuchi

Mitsuaki Kikuchi began to say, "I was accompanied by an ecological garden during an extracurricular lesson for children, and I became more interested in the vegetation of the ecological garden."
As I went to the ecological garden on a holiday, I heard from the staff that there was no plant list yet in the garden, and started a survey.
Since 2004, he has been a staff member of the Ecological Garden and has been commenting on the seasonal flower observation event "Nohana Watching".

Kikuchi also photographed the plants in the collection of materials, which was a guide at that time.
It is a must-have flower picture book for participants where the adorableness and freshness of the flowers shine.
"Some observation sessions do not have a collection of materials, so it is very popular with participants. There is a capacity, but junior high school students and adults can participate."
Even familiar plants with plain flowers are surprised at the shape and mechanism of each one when listening to Mr. Kikuchi's commentary.
It is said that a boy who was an elementary school student at that time became an adult and still attends an observation party.
"I was thrilled to listen to the commentary in a big reaction every time (laughs)," says Kikuchi.

Five to six years after Kikuchi's plant survey, an amateur volunteer who loves plants in the ecological garden, "Plant Group," was launched.
The members consisted of Kikuchi-san and others in their 40s and 70s.
Further surveys and observations were conducted to learn about the vegetation of the ecological garden and to serve as the basis for conservation activities.
Eventually, a booklet summarizing what we learned through the Plant Group and the fun of plants.
"Welcome to Ecological Garden Spring Flowers March-April" will be published in 2012.

"We also described the classification system of plants using recent genetic analysis called APG classification, and we were careful not to make mistakes."
Mr. Kikuchi looks back. This booklet can be viewed mainly by public institutions such as Tsuzuki Ward   Office and elementary schools and libraries in the ward.
Currently, a total of four volumes of wild flowers according to the four seasons are also on sale at Ecological Gardens.
The beauty of the photo, the fineness of the illustration, and the politeness of the commentary are enough to forget the time and move the page.

Mehajiki "Battle" genus Mehajiki

End of August to end of September

Yamahotogis "Yamamori Gonso" Lilyaceae genus

Mid-September - End

White sakratade "Shirahana Sakura Tate"

End of September to October

The genus Azalea, Azalea

The best time to see from mid-September to November

Mitsuaki Kikuchi, Director, Natural Ecological Garden

In order to preserve an ecological garden with satoyama close to Kohoku New Town
It is necessary to enter the park in accordance with manners, such as restrictions on pets and bicycle entry.
However, the natural growth of poor plants must also be stopped.
"Mowing grass, such as cutting bamboo grass, may be a human ego that goes against natural breeding," says Kikuchi, who opens a heavy mouth.

In Yokohama, rare plants are also found in ecological gardens.
It is said that mowing should be done separately between plants that can be cut and plants that should be protected.

And as a result of the careful work of volunteers and staff, unexpected plants may appear and bloom.
"It's been 20 years since the opening of the park, and even if there are not so many observers, I hope that a wide range of generations who are interested in ecological gardens will come."
I looked into the profile unique to the manager.

There are two popular events in the ecological garden. "Old-fashioned rice making" is mainly rice planting in June and scarecrow making in September.
It is an event that can be enjoyed by elementary school students and adults who can experience all year round until rice harvesting in October, threshing in November, and composting in March.

Another crayfish master is to bring the captured American crayfish to the ecological garden.
The class and steps are set according to the number of captures. Currently, there are some elementary school students who have reached the 7th stage.
Crayfish in the United States is an exotic species that adversely affects the ecosystem, so children can enjoy and exterminate them.
After that life is completed, it is a sustainable event that feeds animals in the ecological garden and fertilizers in rice fields.
These events have taken root in the local residents, and the number of people visiting the ecological garden as two generations of parents and children is increasing.

"There may be human resources right next to us to help our staff.
For children who come over time, creating a safe and secure environment will continue steadily."
Kikuchi, who talks with the mask for a while, felt "love" for an ecological garden that could not be shaken even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

【Information】
NPO Chigasaki Park Natural Ecological Garden Management and Management Committee
TEL・FAX： 045-945-0816
E-mail： seitaien@ybb.net.jp
https://www.seitaien.com/ (external site)

Source: iTSCOM [Chichimoto NEWS] (YouTube) (outside site)