We recently held a Mt. Apoi College & Nature Seminar to help local residents learn mor about the nature surrounding them.

This time, our guest lecturer was Professor Takehiro Masuzawa of Shizuoka University, and he talked about "Japan National Park, Hidakasanmyaku Erimo Tokachi National Park ~The Current Roots of Alpine Plants and the Regeneration Efforts on Mt. Apoi ~."

The lecture included information about what can be done for the declining alpine plants of Mt. Apoi, as well as the origins of these plants and the current severe situation, and restoration efforts. The Apoi-mantema blooms in early summer on Mt. Apoi, and is an alpine plant originating in the Arctic Circle, and it has evolved to adapt to the environment of Mt. Apoi. We also heard a story about how moving it was when first discovered.