#Japan #Machida #Machida City #Sustainable Projects #Tamagawa Academic

Collaboration for Sustainability: The Machida and Tamagawa Initiative

In a significant move toward sustainability, Machida City has partnered with Tamagawa Academy to launch the "Machida no Ki" (Machida's Trees) utilization project and the "Tamagawa Mokurin Project." This collaboration aims to enhance resource circulation through effective use of local trees, contributing to the creation of a sustainable society and the development of the environmental and local community.

The formal signing ceremony took place on August 12, 2025, marking the beginning of a cooperative effort to manage and utilize natural resources effectively within the community. The central goals of this partnership include promoting environmental consciousness among city residents and students of Tamagawa Academy, establishing a collaborative model for sustainable local communities, and contributing to zero carbon initiatives.

Key Components of the Agreement

1. Effective Management and Utilization of Green Spaces
The agreement focuses on the appropriate management and utilization of green resources in public spaces in Machida City. Both Machida City and Tamagawa Academy are committed to maximizing resource use, expanding networks for research, activities, and exchanges.

2. Enhancing Environmental Awareness
The collaboration aims to elevate the environmental awareness of Machida citizens and the students at Tamagawa Academy. This will involve promoting environmental education, revitalizing the community, and strengthening information dissemination through public engagement.

3. Establishing Government-Academic Collaborative Models
The parties will work together to create successful models of collaboration between government and academia that contribute to sustainable local communities and support zero carbon initiatives.

Future Initiatives Planned

1. Resource Provision from Public Spaces
Machida City will provide timber resources generated from public spaces for Tamagawa Academy to utilize, such as for educational materials and event displays.

2. Joint Events
Both partners plan to collaboratively host events, including future park labs at Serigaya Park, bamboo lighting events, and Eco-to Festivals.

3. Development of Environmental Education Programs
They will create programs aimed at educating students about wood utilization, linking academic theories to practical applications in local environmental contexts.

4. Information Dissemination and Public Awareness
The agreement includes commitments to promote information sharing and public awareness through various communication channels and social media platforms.

Previous Collaboration Achievements

Several initiatives have already taken place under this partnership, such as experiential workshops utilizing trees in local parks, and the utilization of bamboo from the Onoro region for bamboo lighting projects. These experiences not only enhance learning opportunities for students and residents but also serve as innovative ways to utilize local resources for community enrichment.

About the Projects

Machida's Tree Utilization Project

In line with its commitment to achieving a carbon-neutral society, Machida City is set to implement the "Promotion Policy for Utilizing Local Timber in Public Buildings" by April 2024. The initiative aims to actively utilize domestic timber, including that from the Tama region, while ensuring that wood and bamboo that is cut down for public space management is not wasted but rather transformed into valuable resources through the "Machida no Ki" project. This proactive approach addresses the challenges posed by aging public trees that have served the community historically but now face various management issues.

Tamagawa Mokurin Project

Tamagawa Academy's initiative, known as the Tamagawa Mokurin Project, aligns with its educational philosophy of respecting nature. Established over 90 years ago, Tamagawa Academy has been facilitating tree-planting activities across its campus, resulting in the development of around 61 hectares of rich green space that supports local biodiversity. As part of the Tamagawa Mokurin Project, the academy aims to maintain and care for these trees while fostering an educational connection between students and the natural world, ultimately contributing to the conservation of global environmental resources.

This partnership between Machida City and Tamagawa Academy represents a promising step toward fostering a more sustainable living environment, building awareness and excitement about the importance of local natural resources, and integrating educational opportunities into community practices.