Kobe City: An illustrated book created and edited by elementary school students surveying the river is now available – Tama

Press Release (December 25, 2023)
Natural Environment Division, Environment Bureau

The City of Kobe, together with its citizens, is committed to biodiversity conservation efforts in order to enjoy the rich natural blessings of Kobe, nurtured by the sea and mountains, and to preserve them for future generations.
We are pleased to announce the completion of the “Akashi River Original Illustrated Book (revised edition for 2023),” which was created and edited by Kobe City elementary school students (Tamaichi Aquarium) who are working to protect and nurture the Akashi River, based on their research of the river.
This illustrated book contains 110 species of fish, crustaceans, insects, and other living creatures. The contents, based on the actual experiences of elementary school students, are introduced in an easy-to-understand manner using illustrations and photographs, and provide information on the recent habitat conditions of these creatures.
The city of Akashi City will also post the “Akashi River Original Pictorial Book” on its website to introduce the activities of elementary school students, thereby promoting citizens’ understanding of biodiversity and the spread of conservation activities.

Akashi River Original Pictorial Book URL
https://www.city.kobe.lg.jp/a66324/biodiversity_akashi.html

[Introduction of Tamaichi Aquarium]
Tamaichi Aquarium (Representative: Mr. Takashi Oda) is a pupil of Tamatsu Daiichi Elementary School (Oyama, Nishi-ku, Kobe City), The group is composed of students of Tamatsu Daiichi Elementary School (Oyama, Nishi-ku, Kobe City), graduates (junior high and high school students), and their parents, and is engaged in activities to protect and nurture the Akashi River. They collect and observe living organisms (fish, insects, shellfish, etc.) in the Akashi River throughout the year to study the river environment, release native species after observation, and exterminate (eat, etc.) non-native species.
The results of these activities are compiled into a handmade illustrated book (Akashi River Original Illustrated Book) every year to help children better understand and record the organisms. The manuscripts and drawings for the biological illustrated book are prepared and edited by the children.
On September 1, 2023, Kobe City and Akashi City signed an “Agreement on Collaboration and Cooperation to Protect and Nurture Biodiversity” and plan to conduct a joint biological survey of the Akashi River, which flows through both cities, with the participation and cooperation of the Tamaichi Aquarium.

Activity Report (Ministry of the Environment Children’s Eco-Club Website) URL
https://www.j-ecoclub.jp/ecoreport/profile.php?id=361