This month's Kyoto Visitor's Guide contains a brief synopsis of my interview with Rob Mangold, the founder, organizer, and chief motivator behind local disaster relief organization IDRO JAPAN. Two months ago Rob and I sat down over beers and had a very long chat about life, Tohoku and everything. His story of how IDRO got started, how much they have achieved so far, and where … [Read more...]
Pine felling on Mount Ogura
Once again last Saturday I joined P.T.O. (People Together for Mt. Ogura) for another day of pine cutting on the summit of Mount Ogura. Above you can see a misty view of the Hozu river gorge. To the right of the view in the foreground is a pine tree that is completely brown. It has unfortunately succumbed to the pine disease that is killing so many trees not only on Mount Ogura … [Read more...]
October on Mount Ogura
On Saturday my colleague Chris Carver and I joined PTO for another day of conservation work on Mount Ogura. After a solid day of rain the day before I had fully expected Saturday's work to be cancelled, but the rain held off in the morning and the planned day of work went ahead. It was very humid up on those forested slopes, but we were fortunate with the weather as the next … [Read more...]
GO! GO! WAKU WAKU CAMP!!!
A message from the organizers: GO! GO! Waku Waku CAMP started last May when we brought 10 children from the Fukushima area--where the radiation levels have been dangerously high--to participate in a camp during Golden Week at Kyoto Seika University. Knowing as we do now, that radiation contamination in the Fukushima area will continue for several decades (as it did in … [Read more...]
Music in a Bamboo Grove
Earlier today, I joined the conservation group P.T.O.'s activities in Arashiyama. We spent the morning preparing bamboo switches that will be used to repair the fences along the bamboo groves this autumn. These fences are important because they keep the wild boar out and prevent them from eating up all the new bamboo shoots in the spring. After we had finished our work we were … [Read more...]
IDRO Japan – The Work Goes On
Rob Mangold's report of his fourth trip to Tohoku is required reading for anyone unsure of just how vital are the funds raised by last Saturday's Bring & Buy Sale. It's also a lesson in the positive and transforming power of everyone's individual efforts. Rob and his team of volunteers are absolute heroes. Here's an excerpt (click the link below for the full report): Wow, … [Read more...]
IDRO Japan Needs You!
As I mentioned yesterday the fund-raising effort at Tadg's last Friday raised stacks of cash for Tohoku disaster relief. 250,000 yen to be precise! But where is that money going? Here: IDRO Japan (International Disaster Relief Organisation Japan) is a new Kyoto-based NPO providing aid and assistance for immediate post-disaster relief and long-term support through housing and … [Read more...]
