NPO Corporation Karatsu Farm & Food and Yokomakura Farm Deliver 90-Minute Special Lecture to Around 40 Second-Year Students at Saga University on 'Nature-Positive Initiatives from the Local Community'

Kentaro Kinoshita, representative of Yokomakura Farm and Deputy Director of NPO Corporation Karatsu Farm & Food, delivering a lecture on 'Nature-Positive Initiatives from the Local Community' (Saga University, June 24, 2026)

On June 24, 2026, NPO Corporation Karatsu Farm & Food (Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture; Representative Director: Nozomi Hamaguchi) and Yokomakura Farm participated as guest speakers in a problem-solving course titled 'Saga SDGs Glocal Action' at Saga University.

The lecture was delivered by Kentaro Kinoshita, representative of Yokomakura Farm and Deputy Director of NPO Corporation Karatsu Farm & Food. Targeting approximately 40 second-year students, he delivered a 90-minute session titled 'Nature-Positive Initiatives from the Local Community—Practicing OECM (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures), Resource Circulation, and Environmental Education,' sharing insights gained from on-the-ground work in both Karatsu's satoyama (traditional rural landscapes) and coastal areas.

Nature-positive is a concept aimed at halting biodiversity loss and putting nature on a recovery path. This lecture emphasized that such efforts do not need to be confined to 'special places,' but can instead begin within everyday community life—sharing this perspective through two real-world examples.

Landscape of the Nature-Positive Site 'Yokomakura' in Karatsu City's satoyama

Satoyama Site: The Environment Ministry-Certified Nature-Positive Site 'Yokomakura'

The first half of the lecture introduced activities at the 'Yokomakura' Nature-Positive Site, located in Yokomakura, Aino Town, Karatsu City. A Nature-Positive Site is a designation by Japan's Ministry of the Environment for areas where biodiversity conservation is achieved through private initiatives by companies or organizations (internationally known as OECM). Kinoshita shared how, through ongoing collaboration with local residents, the satoyama landscape is maintained to support diverse forms of life.

Colorful dot-patterned blocks made from marine plastic collected around Tsushima Island

Coastal Site: Precious Plastic Karatsu and the Message of 'First, Reduce'

The second half focused on 'Precious Plastic Karatsu,' an initiative addressing plastic waste that washes ashore. Precious Plastic is a global open-source upcycling project that transforms discarded plastic into new products. Upcycling is a method of giving new value and purpose to waste materials.

While the project also turns marine plastic into colorful art pieces, the speaker repeatedly emphasized the core message: 'First, reduce.' Art serves as an entry point to make waste visible, with the ultimate goal of reducing consumption at its source. This intention was clearly conveyed.

Additionally, Kinoshita shared future visions for Yokomakura Farm and how it plans to shape the future of satoyama landscapes.

Scene from the lecture at Saga University's 'Saga SDGs Glocal Action' course, attended by around 40 second-year students

Different majors, different perspectives—the final 10 minutes: student questions

Following the 80-minute lecture, a 10-minute Q&A session allowed students from diverse academic backgrounds to ask questions reflecting their unique viewpoints.

A student from the Faculty of Art asked about the colorful blocks made from marine plastic collected around Tsushima Island: 'The dot patterns are beautiful—how are they made?' The response explained that the vibrant colors come not from added dyes, but from the original hues of the collected plastic pieces themselves.

A student from the Faculty of Agriculture asked: 'In beekeeping, why did you choose the Japanese honeybee (Apis cerana japonica), which yields less honey and is harder to manage?' This question revealed an understanding that choices go beyond mere efficiency.

Speaker's Comment

'While I spoke about turning marine plastic into art, the most important message I wanted to convey is “first, reduce.” Art is just an entry point to make waste visible—my hope is that it leads to reducing consumption overall. Different students resonate with different aspects depending on their background. The variety of questions raised during the Q&A, each reflecting a unique perspective, was truly fascinating and rewarding.' (Kentaro Kinoshita, Deputy Director of NPO Corporation Karatsu Farm & Food / Representative of Yokomakura Farm)

Organization Overview

NPO Corporation Karatsu Farm & Food

Address: 3-7-22 Higashikaratsu, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture

Representative: Director Nozomi Hamaguchi

Activities: Biodiversity conservation, environmental education (ESD), promotion of circular economy (economic systems that minimize waste and circulate resources), implementation of nature-positive practices, plastic upcycling through Precious Plastic Karatsu, management of the Environment Ministry-certified Nature-Positive Site (Yokomakura, Aino Town), beach cleanups

Official website: https://karatsu-f-f.com

Online shop: https://karatsuff.shop

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/preciousplastic_karatsu/

Yokomakura Farm

Address: Yokomakura, Aino Town, Karatsu City, Saga Prefecture (within the Nature-Positive Site 'Yokomakura')

Representative: Kentaro Kinoshita (Deputy Director of NPO Corporation Karatsu Farm & Food)

Within the Nature-Positive Site, Yokomakura Farm cultivates 'Nature-Positive Site Rice' and mint (yerba buena), exploring agricultural methods that coexist with satoyama biodiversity.