activities
On Oita Canon Inc.’s Oita Plant, there is a brook with clear water and a beautiful grove—we call it the Canon Forest. The Oita Plant promotes several activities to preserve this beautiful green environment for future generations.
Share: “Oita Canon Inc.’s Oita Plant”
Oita Canon Inc.’s Oita Plant is located on a hill near the Ono River in the eastern part of Oita City, Japan, surrounded by beautiful unspoiled nature. On its site, there is a brook with clear water and a beautiful grove—we call it the Canon Forest. The Oita Plant promotes several activities to preserve this beautiful green environment for future generations.
The Oita Plant is surrounded by a lush forest bursting with life, from Common Pheasants and native Oita salamanders to the swarms of Japanese fireflies that flutter about in May. Other inhabitants include Black Kites, bullfrogs and ducks, along with such insects as dragonflies, butterflies and Japanese tiger beetles. There are also plenty of fruits, like bitter oranges, wild strawberries and chocolate vines.
Major activity
One noteworthy activity carried out at the Oita Plant is the breeding of Common Pheasants, which are often seen in the area, and releasing them on the site. Since 2012, 123 pheasants have been successfully hatched on the site. Every year from mid-April to the end of July, chicks are hatched with the help of staff that includes volunteers from the Oita plant. Then, around the end of October or beginning of November, after carefully raising the pheasants, the Oita Plant organizes an event where local elementary school students and the children of employees help release the birds into the wild and attend an environmental lecture to learn the purpose of this activity.
Major activity
Every summer, as part of the Canon Factory Kids School, the Oita Plant holds a nature exploration photo class. During the class, children walk around the Canon Forest and photograph animals and the environment using digital cameras.
Objective
Activities: Case study 1
Oita Plant employees made their own bird houses from used wood pallets and installed them around the plant on a trial basis.
Activities: Case study 2
The trees in Canon Forest are pruned to allow more light and wind in, which helps more trees to grow and expand the forest. Trees which produce nuts and berries are also planted to foster an environment that is rich in resources for all living things. Additionally, walking trails have been created so employees can enjoy strolls through the forest.
The Common Pheasant, the national bird of Japan, is found in woodlands, forest edges, meadowlands, dry riverbeds and agricultural lands. During the breeding season, the males make sharp-sounding squawking calls. This photo shows a Common Pheasant raised in the Canon Forest.