In celebration of World Wetlands Day 2017 (celebrated internationally each year on 2 February), we hosted Winter Eco Tour 2017 for local residents on Saturday, 4th February 2017.
The event took place at Lake Takkobu in Kushiro Wetland and Mr. Hisashi Shinsho, the Chair of the KIWC Technical Committee, provided commentary during the field tour. We walked up to the source of stream by the lake and observed water spring out of the ground and frost flowers (delicate ice structures) bloom around the source. We then walked across the snow-covered frozen lake and found animal tracks in the snow and snow ripples.
In the afternoon, KIWC gave a presentation on Wetlands for Disaster Risk Reduction, which is the theme for this year’s World Wetlands day, and explained about how Kushiro Wetland played an important role in flood management and disaster risk reduction during the massive typhoon that struck Hokkaido in August 2016.
We also did quiz completion regarding Kushiro Wetland In the bus on our way to Lake Takkobu and the participants had a great time taking part in it.