Yambaru Nature Experience Activities Council
About the Yambaru Nature Experience Activities Council
The Yambaru Nature Experience Activities Council was established in 1999 to promote both the conservation and the sustainable use of Yambaru's natural environmental resources while contributing to regional development. The Council is primarily responsible for managing and operating the Yambaru World Heritage Conservation Center—Ufugi Nature Museum and promoting cooperation among the three villages of Yambaru as well as community participation in regional initiatives.
Member Organizations:
Okinawa-Amami Nature Conservation Office (Ministry of the Environment), Department of Environmental Affairs (Okinawa Prefectural Government), Kunigami Village, Ogimi Village, Higashi Village, Kunigami Village Tourism Association, Ogimi Village, Tourism Association, Higashi-Village Tourism Promotion Council
Activities
Based at the Yambaru World Heritage Conservation Center—Ufugi Nature Museum, the Council carries out the following activities.
- Providing information and interpretation on the Outstanding Universal Value of the World Natural Heritage site and the natural environment of the Yambaru region.
- Promoting awareness of the conservation of the World Natural Heritage site and its surrounding areas, the preservation of local culture, regional development, environmental education, and rules for the appropriate treatment of the natural environment.
- Providing training for member organizations of the Council and related organizations to enhance their nature interpretation skills.
Activity Highlights
Nature Observation Programs
We organize nature observation programs where participants can learn about the animals and plants of Yambaru in an enjoyable way and observe them in the actual field.
Lectures
We organize lectures by researchers and other experts studying the natural environment of Yambaru, providing opportunities to learn about the latest research and findings in this area.
Training Programs
We provide training programs for partner organizations and related groups to support accurate and effective communication about Yambaru’s natural environment.
School Partnership Programs
We work with local schools to provide children in the Yambaru region with more opportunities to learn about and reflect on the nature and culture of the place where they live.
Public Awareness
We produce educational materials about the natural environment of the Yambaru region as thank-you gifts for donations and contributions that support the Council’s activities and the conservation of Yambaru’s natural environment. These materials are available at the Yambaru World Heritage Conservation Center—Ufugi Nature Museum.
Yambaru World Natural Heritage Fund (Ufugi Fund)
The Yambaru World Natural Heritage Fund was established in 2026 to support activities that contribute to the conservation and appropriate treatment of Yambaru’s irreplaceable natural environment. The Fund is managed and operated by the Yambaru Nature Experience Activities Council.
Its nickname, Ufugi Fund, reflects the hope that the fund will receive the support of so many people that it will be able to grow like an ufugi—the Okinawan word for “large tree”—and help to enrich Yambaru’s forests.
How Your Donations Are Used
We plan to use the Fund to support initiatives such as the following:
Producing posters, newsletters, magnets, and other educational materials that promote the conservation of Yambaru's natural environment.
Creating rescue boxes for endangered wildlife injured in wildlife-vehicle collisions and other incidents.
How to Donate
There are three ways to make a donation to the Ufugi Fund.
Admission Donation
At the Yambaru World Heritage Conservation Center—Ufugi Nature Museum, we invite visitors to make a voluntary admission donation at the reception desk to support the conservation of Yambaru’s natural environment and public awareness activities. If you support these efforts, we would greatly appreciate your contribution.(Suggested donation: ¥300 or more for visitors of junior high school age and above.)
Donations with Thank-You Gifts
Donations are accepted at the Yambaru World Heritage Conservation Center—Ufugi Nature Museum and at selected facilities that distribute the Council’s educational materials. As a token of our appreciation, we offer the following thank-you gifts for donations of the amounts indicated below.
Yambaru Nature Ashibi Guidebook
A guidebook introducing the natural and cultural attractions of Yambaru. Follow the rules and etiquette included in the guide and enjoy Yambaru Ashibi, exploring nature and local communities in a respectful and responsible way. (¥200 or more)
“STOP! Roadkill” Magnet
Roads in the Yambaru region are also used by wildlife. This magnet promotes safe driving to help prevent wildlife-vehicle collisions. (¥400 or more)
“STOP! Poaching” Magnet
Poaching and illegal collection continue to threaten Yambaru's forests. This magnet raises awareness of the importance of protecting Yambaru's precious wildlife. (¥400 or more)
Other Donations
We also welcome donations from individuals, companies, and organizations.
Fund Reports
We publish the annual income and expenditure reports for the Ufugi Fund and make them available to the public. *The Ufugi Fund was established in 2026. The first annual report, covering fiscal year 2026, will be published in fiscal year 2027.