① The 852nd Field Study Meeting of the Makino Botanical Club (Dec 15, 2025)
Plant Observation on the Yokohama National University Campus
As the 852nd Field Study Meeting of the Makino Botanical Club, Prof. Kaoruko Kurata (Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences) conducted observations of a wide variety of plants on the nature-rich Tokiwadai Campus of Yokohama National University, located within the urban area of Yokohama on Dec 15, 2025. The campus is planted with various species of Castanopsis and Quercus (often referred to as “potential natural vegetation”), allowing participants to observe their fruits (acorns). These plants are compiled in a book authored by the instructors, YNU Walk 2024 (a compact, full-color illustrated guide; not for sale). The observations focused mainly on the plants introduced in this guide, making the event enjoyable even for beginners who wish to learn plant names and their connections to everyday life and culture. 17 Club members attended this Field Study Meeting.
② Preparation of a Taxidermy Specimen of the Formosan Squirrel (Dec 16, 2025)
On December 16, 2025, a taxidermy workshop was held at Yokohama National University by Associate Professor Kenji Moribe of the Wildlife Resource Research Laboratory, Gifu University (Visiting Associate Professor at the Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences), with ten participants in attendance.
In the workshop, participants attended a lecture aimed at deepening their understanding of control measures and potential uses of the invasive alien species, the Formosan squirrel, and also took part in a hands-on taxidermy session to create a Formosan squirrel specimen.
③ ESD program for elementary school students “Let’s Make and Play Karuta Using Plants at Our School” (Dec 17, 2025)
28 third-grade pupils at Yokohama Municipal Mitsuzawa Elementary School
A comprehensive learning activity titled “Let’s Make and Play Karuta Using Plants at Our School” for 28 third-grade pupils at Yokohama Municipal Mitsuzawa Elementary School was conducted by Prof. Kaoruko Kurata (Institute of Multidisciplinary Sciences) on December 17, 2025. Through playing while learning the characteristics of plants, the activity aimed to foster students’ interest in and curiosity about plants.
