National Forests in Hokkaido

Did you know? National forests belong to everyone. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office is responsible to take care of these precious forests.

Hokkaido Regional Forest Office Outline of National Forests in Hokkaido

Hokkaido is one of Japan’s leading forestlands, with forests accounting for 22% of the total forestlands of Japan. Hokkaido’s National forests account for over 50% of the total forestlands of Hokkaido, which include Mt. Daisetsu, the Hidaka Mountains and other major mountain ranges, creating one of the richest ecosystems in Hokkaido. Hokkaido’s National forests are comprised of coniferous trees (Sakhalin fir and Sakhalin spruce) and broad-leaved trees (Japanese oak, birch and Painted maple), providing seasonally changing views. Forests have various functions such as providing timbers, conserving national land and water resources, absorbing and storing carbon dioxide (a cause of global warming) and providing habitats for wildlife and recreational areas for people. Forests represent valuable assets for us human beings.

Soya District Forest Office Rumoi Hokubu District Forest Office Legend Kamikawa Hokubu District Forest Office Nishimombetsu Branch Office National forest Abashiri Seibu District Forest Office Prefectural forest Forestry Technology Abashiri Chubu District Forest Office Development and Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Support Center Conservation Center University Kitami Satellite Office/ experimental forest Kitasorachi Tokoro River Forest Environment Branch Office Education Facilitation Center Rumoi Nambu District Forest Office

Kamikawa Chubu District Forest Office/ Asahikawa Satellite Office Sorachi District Forest Office Hokkaido Regional Forest Office Konsen Tobu District Forest Office Abashiri Nambu District Forest Office Ishikari District Forest Office/ Ishikari Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center Konsen Seibu District Forest Office/ Shiribeshi District Forest Office 山 Kushiro Wetland Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center Iburi Tobu District Forest Office Tokachi Tobu District Forest Office

Higashi Taisetsu Branch Office Tokachi Seibu District Forest Office/ Obihiro Satellite Office Hidaka Hokubu District Forest Office Hidaka Nambu District Forest Office

Oshima District Forest Office Kamikawa Nambu Hakodate Satellite Office/ District Forest Office Mt. Komaga-take, Onuma Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center Hiyama District Forest Office

Forest area by ownership in Hokkaido National forest area by forest type in Hokkaido

Artificial forest Private forest 0.66 million ha 1.54 million ha 22% 28% National forest Communal and Total area *1 3.04 million ha National forest private forest 5.54 million ha 55% 3.04 million ha 2.48 million ha 45% Prefectural forest Natural forest 2.38 million ha*2 Municipal forest 0.61 ha 78% 0.33 million ha 11% 6% １ *1 The area of the northern territories is not included in forest area. *2 Natural forest area includes non-forested area. Fulfillment of Multiple Functional Roles of Forests

Classification of National Forests

Forests have multiple functional roles, including landslide prevention, prevention of global warming, watershed conservation, biodiversity conservation and timber production. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office classifies National forests into four of five types depending on their main functions to conduct appropriate managements.

Water resource conservation type Landslide prevention type

Focus on the functions of storing water Focus on the function of mitigating resources and supplying high-quality water. landslides and other disasters

Landslide prevention type 0.56 million ha 18.3%

National forest Jozankei Water resource area Disaster control facilities of Mt. Usu (Sapporo) conservation type 3.07 million ha Nature conservation type (Date) [Shiribeshi District Forest Office] [Ishikari District Forest Office] 1.65 million ha *Non-forested area is 0.63 million ha 53.7% included 20.6% Recreational use type Nature conservation type

Focus on the function of promoting Focus on the function of nature recreation and other forms of interaction conservation, including the conservation of with forests. Recreational use type forest ecosystems and wildlife preservation. 0.23 million ha 7.4%

Comfortable environment type (Hokkaido has no forests of this type)

Focus on the functions of purifying air and reducing noise. Poroto Recreation Forest (Shiraoi) Mt. Poroshiri-dake (Biratori) [Iburi Tobu District Forest Office] [Hidaka Hokubu District Forest Office]

Managements to Fulfill Multiple Functional Roles

In order to maintain the multiple functional roles of forests, forests need to be properly managed and conserved through thinning and replanting. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office performs thinning and other conservation works for proper management of the four forest types. Based on these operations, it systematically Forest after row-thinning Post-thinning material (National forest in Tsurui) (National forest in Engaru) ２ produces timber and secures a stable supply of [Konsen Seibu District Forest Office] [Abashiri Seibu District Forest Office] domestic timber to expand wood demand. Appropriate Management Based on Planning System

National Forest Planning System

In line with the Forest Act, the Nation-wide Forest Plan, and the National Forest Management Fundamental Plan, the Hokkaido Regional Forest Office formulates National Forest Plans by region, National Forest Management Plans by region and National Forest Management Implementation Plans for 13 watershed zones in Hokkaido. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office listens to the views from local residents, reexamines its plans in light of those views, and revise/improve them as necessary. Forest Act National Forest Management Law National level

Nation-wide Forest Plan National Forest Management (a nation-wide plan of forest Harmonious Fundamental Plan management and conservation) formulation

Based on Based on

Watershed level People National Forest Management National Forest Plan by region Harmonious Plans by region formulation Based on National Forest Management Based on Implementation Plans

Discussions with local residents Field study for formulation of (Engaru) National Forest Plan by region [Abashiri Seibu District Forest Office, (National forest in Eniwa) Nishimombetsu Branch Office] [Ishikari District Forest Office]

Creation of Diverse Healthy Forests

The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office works on the creation of a range of forests, such as multi-storied types with various trees in terms of age, species and height, and mixed forests of coniferous and broad-leaved trees.

３ Sakhalin fir single forest Sakhalin spruce multi-storied forest Mixed forests of coniferous and broad-leaved trees (National forest in Yubari) (National forest in Kushiro) (National forest in Horokanai) [Sorachi District Forest Office] [Konsen Seibu District Forest Office] [Kitasorachi Branch Office] Realization of Safe Living

Conservation Forests

Under the Forest Law, forests providing particularly important public benefits, including securing water resources and preventing disasters, are designated as “conservation forests.” In the “conservation forests,” general forest management is allowed with specific limitations for each type of conservation forest. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office has designated 93% of National forests in the prefecture as “conservation forests,” and has created a safe environment for local people by improving the forests and establishing disaster control facilities. Headwater conservation forest Types of Conservation Forests (as of April 1, 2013) This forest has the function of storing rain water Category Area (ha) and alleviating damage from floods and drought. Headwater conservation forest 2,238,950

Soil run-off prevention forest 521,184

Landslide prevention forest 11,641

Shifting-sand prevention forest 794

Windbreak forest 17,940 Tidal wave and salty-wind prevention 1,546 forest Drought prevention forest 28,002 Chuwa Reservoir (Wassamu) Windbreak forest [Kamikawa Hokubu District Forest Office] Fog inflow prevention forest 8,718 Snow avalanche prevention forest 86 This forest has the function of protecting fields and houses against strong winds. Rock fall prevention forest 179 Fish-breeding forest 3,873

Navigation landmark forest 16

Public health forest 119,431

Scenic site conservation forest 3,984

(Some forests have received multiple designations)

National forest in Bekkai [Konsen Seibu District Forest Office]

Forest Conservation Project

The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office implements “forest conservation projects” in areas that have been affected by disasters caused by earthquake or heavy rainstorm. The early restoration and appropriate maintenance of forests help fulfill the landslide prevention function of forests, and ensure the safety in the areas.

[Before the project] [After the project]

４ Nokanan Forest Conservation Project (National forest in Ashibetsu) [Sorachi District Forest Office] Conservation of Forest Ecosystems

Forest Reserves

Forest reserve system was established as an original protection system by Forestry Agency in 1915, to conserve primeval forest ecosystems, wildlife and genetic resources. In Hokkaido, particularly important National forests such as the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site and habitats of endangered species are designated as “Forest Reserves” and appropriately maintained and protected by the Hokkaido Regional Forest Office.

Shiretoko Sumire (Viola kitamiana), regarded as an indigenous species Asahikawa Sakhalin Spruce No.24 Forest Reserve of Shiretoko for Forest Tree Genetic Resources (Hiroo) Mt.Rausu-dake in Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Reserve [Tokachi Seibu District Forest Office] (Shari, Rausu) [Abashiri Nambu District Forest Office Konsen Tobu District Forest Office]

Wakamatsu Forest Reserve for the Conservation of Plant Community Rebun Atsumoriso (Rebun Lady’s Slipper) (left) and Hotei (Sakhalin fir, broad-leaved tree) (Setana) Atsumoriso (Hotei Lady’s Slipper) (right) , both of which are Yupari Kozakura (Primula yuparensis), [Oshima District Forest Office] designated as an endangered species by the Act on Conservation an indigenous species of Mt. Yubari-dake of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Blakiston’s fish owl, designated as an Headwater of the Tokachi River Forest Reserve Habitat of Sakai Tsutsuji (Rhododendron endangered species by the Act on Conservation of for Biologic Genetic Resources (Shintoku) parvifolium), designated as a Natural treasure Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora [Higashi Taisetsu Branch Office]

Status of Forest Reserves (as of April 1, 2013) Category of Forest Reserves Examples Number Area (hectare) Shiretoko, Sukki River Headwaters in the Kariba Mountains, Mt. Daisetsu, Hidaka Mountains, Forest Ecosystem Reserve 5 275,635 Mt. Izari-dake Area Forest Reserve for Biologic Genetic Rishiri-Rebun, Tokachi River Headwaters, Western Hidaka Mountains, Eastern Hidaka 4 45,791 Resources Mountains Forest Reserve for Forest Tree Genetic Hokkaido Sakhalin Fir No.19, Asahikawa Sakhalin Spruce No.2, Kitami White Oak No.27, 138 2,641 Resources Obihiro White Sakhalin Spruse No.11, Hakodate Beech No.4, etc. Forest Reserve for the Conservation of Plant Mt. Yubari-dake Alpine Flora Reserve, Mt. Daisetsu Primeval Forest Reserve, Rebun Lady’s Slippers Community Reserve, Sakai tsutsuji (Rhododendron parvifolium) Reserve, Utasai Plant 57 25,329 Community Community Reserve, etc. Blakiston’s Fish Owl Habitat Reserve, Bekanbeushi Japanese Crane Habitat Reserve, Uenae Specific Animal Habitat Reserve 16 12,412 Steller’s Sea Eagle and White-tailed Eagle Habitat Reserve, Lake Kutcharo Reserve, etc. Specific Geography and Geology Reserve Oshunkoshun Basalt Columnar Joint Reserve, Shirataki Rhyolite Granule Reserve , etc. 414 ５ Forest Reserve for Local Community Wild Bird Rainbow Forest 117 Total 225 361,839 Green Corridors

Hokkaido’s National forests provide the habitat for the Black Woodpecker, which is designated as a natural treasure and an endangered species in the Red Data Book. The forests also serve as the habitat for Blakiston’s fish owls and Mountain hawk eagles, both of which are designated as an endangered species by the Act on Conservation of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. To form habitat networks and provide migration pathways for such wildlife, the Hokkaido Regional Forest Office designate National forests, which connect Forest Reserves, as “Green Corridors,” and managed to expand habitats for wildlife and secure genetic diversity.

Rishiri-Rebun Forest Reserve for Biologic Genetic Resources Legend Green Corridor Forest Ecosystem Mt. Daisetsu Forest Ecosystem Reserve Reserve Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Reserve Other Reserve Shiretoko Peninsula National Forest Green Corridor

Mt. Unabetsu-dake Forest Reserve for the Conservation of Plant Community

Mt. Izari-dake Area Forest Ecosystem Reserve [Visual representation of Green Corridors]

Mt. Shari-dake Forest Reserve Forest MuineyamaMt. Muine Plant Community Forest Reserve Reserve for the Conservation of Plant Community Reserves for the Conservation of Plant Community Tokachi River Headwaters Forest Reserve for Biologic Genetic Resources Daisetsu-Hidaka Green Corridor Shikotsu-Muine EastanHidaka Hidaka Sanmyaku Mountai Tobu Forestns Forest Reserve Sukki River Headwaters Green Corridor Biologicfor Genetic Biologic Resources Genetic Reserve Resources Forest Ecosystem Reserve in the Karibasanchi Suchikugawa Genryubu Western Hidaka Mountains Forest Reserve Forest Ecosystem Reserve Kariba Mountains for BiologicHidaka Genetic Sanmyaku Resources Tobu Forest Biologic Genetic Resources Reserve Hidaka Mountains Forest Ecosystem Reserve Green Corridor

Green Corridors (as of April 1, 2013) Area Length Name Connected forest reserves (hectare) (km) Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Reserve Mt. Unabetsu-dake Forest Reserve for the Shiretoko Peninsula Conservationof Plant Community 12,397 36 Mt. Shari-dake Forest Reserve for the Conservation of Plant Community Mt. Daisetsu Forest Ecosystem Reserve Daisetsu-Hidaka 17,368 57 Hidaka Mountains Forest Ecosystem Reserve Mt. Izari-dake Area Forest Ecosystem Reserve Shikotsu-Muine Suchiku River Headwaters Forest Ecosystem Reserve 7,051 30 in the Kariba Mountains A feeding tree (Sakhalin fir) for the Black Woodpecker. The holes they Total 36,816 123 make in the trees are used by many other animals. (Sapporo) [Ishikari District Forest Office] Conservation Management of Forest Ecosystems by “Green Support Staff”

The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office deploys “Green Support Staff: GSS” in popular National forest areas such as the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site and the Mt. Daisetsu to patrol the areas at risk for environmental destruction, collect garbage, and maintain hiking trails and signs. ６ Mt. Tokachi-dake Green Support Stuff (Biei, Kamifurano) [Kamikawa Nambu District Forest Office] Nature Restoration Activities

The four Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Centers in Hokkaido conduct various activities such as reforestation programs and forest environmental education in cooperation with NPOs that are engaged in the nature restoration and the conservation of biodiversity.

Ishikari Forest Environmental Education Tokoro River Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center Facilitation Center

Area Area

Around Tokoro River Sapporo Basin

Nature restoration is conducted Nature restoration is conducted in Nopporo Prefectural Nature in the Okhotsk Forest, which is Park toward the untouched located in the middle basin of primary forest 100 ago. “Forestry School” the Tokoro River, in “Children Expedition“ Okhotsk Forest Nopporo Prefectural Natural Park collaboration with local parties. (Ebetsu, Kitahiroshima) (Kitami, Abashiri) Kushiro Wetland Forest Environmental Mt. Komaga-take, Onuma Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center Education Facilitation Center

Area AreaArea

Upper reach of Hakodate Kushiro Wetland Mt.Komaga-take Onuma

Afforestation is promoted in Nature restoration is conducted open or sparse National forest around Onuma by local tree areas in the upper reaches of the species to restore the vegetation. Kushiro Wetland. “Raibetsu Acorn Crub” “Tree Doctor” Certification Meeting Raibetsu area Onuma (Shibecha) (Nanae)

Promotion of the Conservation and Appropriate Usage of Forest Ecosystems in Shiretoko

Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Conservation Center

The Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Conservation Center conducts monitoring surveys, conservation of the ecosystems and implements restoration projects to promote the conservation and appropriate usage of precious forest ecosystems in the Shiretoko area including the Shiretoko World Natural Heritage Site. ７ Shiretoko mountain range National Forests as “Forests for People”

The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office is designating National forests with spectacular landscape suitable for recreational activities (e. g., camping, skiing and hiking) as “Recreational Forests” for public enjoyment. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office also provides access to the National forests for the activities of various organizations, such as “Forests for Students,” and “Forests for Voluntary Groups,” to satisfy the various expectations of people in society.

[Recreation Forest]

Recreational Forests (as of April 1, 2013) Area Classification Major sites Number (hectare)

Shikaribetsu (Shikaoi, Kamishihoro, Shihoro), Poroto Recreation Forests 21 25.4 thousand (Shiraoi), Niseko-Shinsen Marsh (Kyowa, Kutchan) Mt. Kunimi (Otofuke, Memuro), Hidaka Natural Forest Nature Study Forests 26 9.4 thousand (Hidaka) Mt. Esan (Hakodate) Kanokozawa (Oketo), Lake Chobushi (Nemuro), Bihoro [Hiyama District Forest Office] Scenic Forests 130 121.3 thousand Pass (Bihoro) [Field Sports Area] Sightseeing Forests Sounkyo (Kamikawa), Poropinai (Chitose) 19 7.4 thousand

Sapporo Kokusai Skiing Resort (Sapporo, Otaru), Furano Field Sports Areas 38 12.6 thousand Snow Resort (Furano), Lake Akan (Kushiro) Forests for Woodland Shiretoko (Shari), Mt. Tengu-dake (Engaru) 14 4.7 thousand Sports Total 248 180.9 thousand

Sapporo Kokusai Skiing Resort (Sapporo) [Ishikari District Forest Office]

Agreements of “Forests for People” (as of March 31, 2013) Name Outline Number These are National forests where students can engage in hands-on and learning activities based on arrangements Forests for Students 32 between District Forest Offices and schools, local governments, NPOs, etc. These are National forests for voluntary afforestation and activities such as forest environmental education and Forests for Voluntary Groups nature observation class based on arrangements between District Forest Offices and local governments, forest 27 volunteer groups, etc. These are National forests for tree-planting, treatments and other forest development activities promoting the Forests for Corporations fulfillment of corporate social responsibility (CSR) based on arrangements between District Forest Offices and 38 companies, NPOs and other private organizations. These are National forests for activities relating to forest patrol, cutting the grass on walkways, beautification Forests for Diverse Activities activities and other forest conservation work based on arrangements between District Forest Offices and private 10 organizations. These are National forests in which a wide range of organizations such as local residents and related NPOs Model Projects cooperatively participate in the management of National forests based on arrangements with District Forest 14 Offices. These are National forests for forest management and conservation activities to grow long, large-diameter woods Forests for Wood Culture necessary for the repair or restoration of historical wooden buildings, as well as wood materials for handicrafts 2 and traditional festivals requiring the use of specific trees.

Forest environmental education in a “Forest for Students” Tree planting in a “Forest for Volunrary Groups” ８ (Kamikawa) (Rumoi) [Kamikawa Chubu District Forest Office] [Rumoi Numbu District Forest Office] Contribution to Regional Development by Wood Supply

Stable Wood Supply and Promotion of Wood Use

The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office contributes to development of regional industries and the welfare of rural communities by systematically and dependably supplying wood from thinning and other forest managements. So far, most of “unused thinned wood,” a by-product of timber production, has been left in the forest. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office promotes utilization of this “unused thinned wood” to energy production using woody biomass.

Row-thinning using high-performance forestry machinery Loading of “unused thinned wood” (National forest in Ashoro) (National forest in Sapporo) [Tokachi Tobu District Forest Office] [Ishikari District Forest Office]

Wood Production Using Low Cost Forest Practice System

To build an efficient low cost forest practice system using high performance forestry machinery, the Hokkaido Regional Forest Office promotes the development of the forestry road system based on a combination of three types of forest road: the “forest road” for general vehicles, the “forestry exclusive road” for trucks with ten ton loads, and the “forestry operation Construction of a “forestry operation road” for “Forestry exclusive road” for 10-t trucks forestry machinery such as forwarders (National forest in Otaru) road” for forestry machinery. (National forest in Shibetsu-shi) [Ishikari District Forest Office] [Kamikawa Hokubu District Forest Office]

Forestry Technology Development and Support Center

The Forestry Technology Development and Support Center makes efforts to develop methods for regenerating natural forests and Japanese larch trees, and thinning artificial Sakhalin fir forests using high-performance forestry machinery. It also focuses on energy-saving afforestation using container seedlings and low-cost forestry road system construction technology. Other activities include the diffusion of these technologies by hosting visitors and trainees.

Development of efficient regeneration Development of a natural regeneration Development of a method to construct ９ technology to support tree growth in method to reduce the costs of re- forestry road system that supports an areas covered by bamboo bush. afforestation after logging in artificial effective forest practice system. Japanese larch forests. Contribution to Forest and Forestry Revitalization

Cooperation with the Communal and Private Forests

The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office has exchanged “Memorandum on Forest and Forestry in Hokkaido” with the Hokkaido Government to promote cooperative management of communal, private and National forests. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office has been promoting active forest management, the coordinated shipment of timber and the development of the forest road system in cooperation with the communal and private forest sector through the designation of “cooperative forest management areas.”

Legend

National forest

Water conservation forest of the Center for Forestry and Agriculture Development

Municipal forest

Road network

“Hokkaido Afforestation Festa” held in cooperation with the Hokkaido Government (Dominno-mori in Tobetsu)

Yobetsu Cooperative Forest Management Area (Shakotan) [Ishikari District Forest Office]

Technological Development and Diffusion

To improve the efficiency of forest planting and management, The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office works on the development and diffusion of new technologies such as low cost afforestation by using seedlings growing in containers and efficient forest survey by using aerial laser measurement.

[Diffusion of low cost afforestation using container seedlings] [Development of aerial laser measurement technology]

Container seedlings (Kitami) Field study of container seedlings [Abashiri Chubu District Forest Office] (National forest in Shimokawa) 10 [Kamikawa Hokubu District Forest Office] Wildlife Control in Collaboration with Local Municipalities

As for damages caused by forest wildlife, the browsing damages by Ezo Deer have become serious in recent years. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office makes various efforts to reduce the damages and harmful effects by the Ezo Deer, including a survey of the effects on forest ecosystems, snow removal on forest roads to support Bark damage by Ezo Deer Snow removal for efficient capture efficient capture by hunters, and collaborative capturing (National forest in Shari) (National forest in Kushiro) with local municipalities. [Abashiri Nambu District Forest Office] [Konsen Seibu District Forest Office]

Human Resource Development

It is now very important to nurture people who can protect and grow forests. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office trains its employees as technical experts to support local government and local forest management. The Hokkaido Regional Forest Office also offers training fields to support human resource development Training for “Apprentice Foresters” Training for technicians of for communal and private forests. (National forest in Otaru) “Forestry Exclusive Roads” [Ishikari District Forest Office] (National Forest in Otaru) [Ishikari District Forest Office]

Organization of the Hokkaido Regional Forest Office

Hokkaido Regional Forest Office

Ishikari District Forest Office (Sapporo) Tel.011-563-6111 Asahikawa Satellite Office (Asahikawa) Tel.0166-62-6738 Sorachi District Forest Office (Iwamizawa) Tel.0126-22-1940 Kitami Satellite Office (Kitami) Tel.0157-23-1215 Kitasorachi Branch Office (Horokanai) Tel.0165-35-2221 Obihiro Satellite Office (Obihiro) Tel.0155-24-6111 Iburi Tobu District Forest Office (Shiraoi) Tel.0144-82-2161 Hakodate Satellite Office (Hakodate) Tel.0138-51-8110

Hidaka Hokubu District Forest Office (Hidaka) Tel.01457-6-3151 Shiretoko Forest Ecosystem Conservation Center (Shari) Tel.0152-24-3466 Hidaka Nambu District Forest Office (Shinhidaka) Tel.0146-42-1615 Forestry Technology Development and Support Center (Shibetsu-shi) Tel.0165-23-2961 Rumoi Hokubu District Forest Office (Teshio) Tel.01632-2-1151 Rumoi Nambu District Forest Office (Rumoi) Tel.0164-42-2515 Ishikari Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center (Sapporo) Tel.011-533-6741 Kamikawa Hokubu District Forest Office (Shimokawa) Tel.01655-4-2551 Tokoro River Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center (Kitami) Tel.0157-23-2960 Soya District Forest Office (Wakkanai) Tel.0162-23-3617 Kushiro Wetland Forest Environmental Education Facilitation Center (Kushiro) Tel.0154-44-0533 Mt. Komaga-take, Onuma Forest Environmental Kamikawa Chubu District Forest Office (Asahikawa) Tel.0166-61-0206 Education Facilitation Center (Hakodate) Tel.0138-51-0381 Kamikawa Nambu District Forest Office (Minamifurano) Tel.0167-52-2772 Abashiri Seibu District Forest Office (Engaru) Tel.0158-42-2165 Contact Nishimombetsu Branch Office (Takinoue) Tel.0158-29-2231 Abashiri Chubu District Forest Office (Oketo) Tel.0157-52-3011 Hokkaido Regional Forest Office Abashiri Nambu District Forest Office (Koshimizu) Tel.0152-62-2211 Administration and Policy Planning Department Konsen Seibu District Forest Office (Kushiro) Tel.0154-41-7126 Konsen Tobu District Forest Office (Shibetsu-cho) Tel.0153-82-2202 Policy Planning Division Tokachi Tobu District Forest Office (Ashoro) Tel.0156-25-3161 7-70, Miyanomori 3-jo, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 064-8537 Tokachi Seibu District Forest Office (Obihiro) Tel.0155-24-6118 Tel. 011-622-5228 Higashi Taisetsu Branch Office (Kamishihoro) Tel.01564-2-2141 Fax. 011-622-5194 Shiribeshi District Forest Office (Kutchan) Tel.0136-22-0145 Website: http://www.rinya.maff.go.jp/hokkaido/ Hiyama District Forest Office (Assabu) Tel.0139-64-3201 【Photo on the front cover 】Upper: Mt. Tengu-yama in Jozankei (Sapporo)[Ishikari District Forest Office], Oshima District Forest Office (Yakumo) Tel.0137-63-2141 Middle: View of the Mt. Rausu-dake from Sanno-numa marsh (Rausu)[Konsen Tobu District Forest Office], Lower left: “Forests for Students” the Student Summit in Hokkaido (Sapporo)[Ishikari District Forest Office], 11 Lower middle: Row-thinning using high-performance forestry machinery (Bekkai)[Konsen Tobu District Forest Office], Lower right: Disaster control facilities of Mt. Yotei [Shiribeshi District Forest Office]

Hokkaido Regional Forest Office, March, 2014