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Kanji Wood

Twinning of Afan Forest Park with a Forest in Japan

A link has been made with a forest in Japan to help establish a Japanese Woodland in Afan Forest Park, near Rhyslyn car park. The idea originated about 16 years ago, from a Japanese Citizen, who once lived in Neath. Mr Nicol, a well known author and naturalist, came to Afan Forest Park as part of his research on a a book he was writing, about how forests were developed and managed.

Mr Nicol was so impressed with how the Local Authority and Forestry Commission Wales partnership managed the Forest Park and particularly, our role in environmental education, went back to Japan determined to try and establish a woodland management and Education Centre near where he lived.

Over the last few years, a woodland was acquired in the foothills of the Kurohime High Lands in the Nagano prefecture, a woodsman forester Nabuyoshi Matsuki was employed and education facilities developed.

The year 2002 was also the hundredth anniversary of a UK Japan Alliance and to celebrate this the UK Embassy in Tokyo had an idea to create a UK, Japan green alliance and as part of this, 200 schools in Japan have planted British Oak trees in their school grounds.

Last August 2002, Dick Wagstaff, the Forest Ranger from Afan Forest Park Visitor Centre flew out to Japan as a guest of Mr Nicol and the Afan Woodland Trust to help launch the Afan Woodland Trust, the UK Japan green alliance and the signing of a friendship twinning agreement between Afan Forest Park and the Afan Woodland Trust in Japan.

To celebrate the UK green alliance, Sir Stephen Gomersall Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Japan and the local leaders planted a British Oak at a large visitor Centre at Dowakan a major ski resort in Japan.

The twinning of the 2 forest areas will enable Afan Forest Park to exchange ideas and learn from one and others experience, possibly in the future exchange of staff and students.

Kanji Wood Image Gallery