In the sprawling countryside of Hyogo Prefecture, in the quiet hamlet of Toyooka City amidst the picturesque landscape of verdant hills, flowing rivers, and patchwork rice paddies, a remarkable tale of community resurgence unfolds. At the heart of this story lies not only the revival of ancient agricultural practices, but also the rejuvenation of ecosystems, and the return of a once-extinct avian species – the Great Oriental Stork.
Toyooka's journey towards ecological rejuvenation intertwines seamlessly with the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program's Unit of Inquiry (UoI) on “Sharing the Planet” that the Gr. 5 students were just wrapping up in May. For the past several years, Gr. 5 students and other student-run clubs from NIS have embarked on immersive learning experiences in Toyooka City, fostering a deep connection with Japanese culture and biodiversity. Central to these experiences is the renowned 'Stork Rice' project, a testament to the transformative power of collaborative conservation efforts.
The Stork Rice Project dates back to when the Oriental White Stork teetered on the brink of extinction in 1965. Rapid industrialization and modern agricultural practices had encroached upon the stork's natural habitat, and pesticides severely affected their reproduction, diminishing its numbers to a mere handful in Japan. Efforts to increase the numbers by breeding in captivity failed and the bird was declared extinct in Japan in 1971. But in the mid-1980s the project was revisited when Japan received a donation of the majestic birds from the (then) Soviet Union. After four years, breeding in captivity proved successful, laying the ground for the final piece of the rejuvenation. This was when the community of Toyooka City embarked on a journey that embraced traditional farming methods rooted in permaculture principles so that the birds could be reintroduced into a natural environment that would allow them to survive and thrive.
The transition towards sustainable agriculture was not merely a pragmatic shift, but a profound cultural revival brought on by the responsibility Toyooka City felt as the last place in Japan where the bird was spotted before going extinct. It was the perfect place for the Gr. 5 Extended Learning Trip, where they immersed themselves in the rhythms of rural life and witnessed the tangible impacts of this rewinding to a more holistic approach to farming. From pounding rice into delectable mochi to tenderly planting fledgling rice seedlings in the flooded fields, every activity served as a poignant reminder of our interconnectedness and also our responsibility to the planet.
The success of the Stork Rice Project goes beyond the boundaries of environmental conservation; it symbolizes a community's resilience and the power of collective action when faced with a problem to be solved. By prioritizing biodiversity and ecosystem health, Toyooka City not only welcomed back the majestic stork but also revitalized its agricultural heritage.
The parallels between the UoI on Sharing the Planet and the Stork Rice Project are striking. Both emphasize the intrinsic link between human actions and environmental outcomes, advocating for stewardship of the planet's resources. Through hands-on experiences, students gained a profound appreciation for the delicate balance of ecosystems and the symbiotic relationships that sustain life.
As NIS students returned from their enriching sojourn in Toyooka City, they carried with them more than just memories; they carried the seeds of inspiration. Their journey exemplifies the transformative potential of experiential learning, bridging classroom knowledge with real-world application.
In a world fraught with environmental challenges, the learning opportunities brought by this partnership between NIS and Toyooka City serve as a beacon of hope. It reminds us that through collaborative efforts and a deep reverence for nature, humans can cultivate a future where we can live in harmony with our planet. The story of the Stork Rice Project is not merely a tale of ecological redemption; it is a testament to the enduring power of community-driven conservation. Among many, this is the perfect example of how NIS helps the concepts in all of our UoIs come to life inside and outside the classroom.
