About us | 認定NPO法人とくしまコウノトリ基金

Authorized Non-Profit Organization Tokushima Stork Fund
Director Kozo KUMAGAI

The Tokushima Stork Fund was established in 2019 with the aim of conserving rare birds such as storks and hooded cranes and their habitats, and revitalizing the local society and economy through these activities. In 2023, we were certified as a authorized NPO. The initiatives introduced in this leaflet are just a small part of our activities. None of these would be possible without the support of many individuals, companies, and organizations. We ask for your continued support and cooperation in our activities, which aim to create a future where storks fly free in a rich environment and the local community is filled with smiles.

The authorized NPO Tokushima Stork Fund aims to conserve rare birds, including storks, and to revitalize local agriculture and the local economy by making use of the abundant natural environment.
Our activities also aim to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) advocated by the United Nations.

● A pair of storks, "Asahi" and "Yuhi"

After successfully breeding for the first time outside the Toyooka area of Hyogo Prefecture in 2017, they have raised 2-4 chicks every year since. "Asahi" and "Yuhi" maintain and live around the same nest all year round.

● Cultivating a region where both storks and people can live comfortably

Lotus root and rice fields are irreplaceable feeding grounds for storks, who feed on the creatures that live in them. We are working to revitalize the local agriculture and economic activity so that local farming practices can continue, environmentally friendly farming methods can spread, and the people living in the area can stay healthy.

Biotope rice grown by volunteer teams without chemical fertilizers and pesticides
Ohtani River Canoe Tour

● Fitting leg bands to chicks and providing rescue for injured storks

As a member of Tokushima Prefecture's "Stork Leg Banding Team" and "Stork Rescue Center," we work to fit leg bands to chicks and provide rescue for injured storks.

Leg band attachment
The stork is released after being treated and regaining its health.

● Biotope Development

We are developing a biotope that will be a feeding ground for storks by utilizing abandoned farmland in Ohasa-cho, Naruto City and Seto-cho, Shimada Island. We are also installing fishways and creating spawning grounds to increase the number of living creatures in the biotope.

Biotope maintenance work
Storks searching for food in the biotope regaining its health.

● Volunteer team "Cradle" activities

The first and third Saturdays of every month are regular activity days, during which various activities are carried out, including biotope maintenance.

Creating depth in the biotope
Creating spawning beds

● Environmental education, awareness-raising, and corporate training

We provide learning programs for nearby elementary schools to learn about storks and the environment of their habitat through classroom lessons and observations in biotopes. In collaboration with stork and wildlife observation groups and local farmers, we also offer experiences in growing rice with as few pesticides as possible, as well as corporate training.

Environmental learning for elementary school students
Biotope observation for elementary school students
Rice growing experience with minimal use of pesticides
Biotope maintenance work with corporate training participants

● Revitalizing agriculture and economic activit

In collaboration with farmers and local sake breweries, we are leading a project to make sake from rice specially grown (with 50% less chemical pesticides and fertilizers) in paddy fields where storks feed. We support environmentally friendly agriculture, including specially grown "stork lotus root."

Stork sake “Asa and Yu”
Stork lotus root