World Wildlife Day
- April Dykes
- 3 時間前
- 読了時間: 10分
Wildlife, a necessary part of our ecosystems, is so unique and diverse in its many roles. From giving us our favorite treats like chocolate to absorbing wave energy.
Since 2014, World Wildlife Day has been celebrated on March 3rd with the goal to “celebrate and raise awareness of the world’s wild fauna and flora”(United Nations). In simple terms, the goal is for us to see the beauty and importance of the animals and plants that make up our ecosystem. Every animal, reptile, amphibian, and sea creature has a unique role to play, as do the plants that are necessary for their survival and ours.
Protecting Flora and fauna
Terms like conservation and forestry have always existed, but without the emphasis they have today. With industrialization and urbanization at the forefront of many leaders’ minds, the loss of biodiversity was often seen as a necessary evil for the advancement of mankind. It took years to understand that the advancement of one shouldn’t come at the expense of the other. They both needed to be kept in mind. It wasn’t until the 1800s that the term ‘conservation’ became popular, with the creation of the Conservation Movement. This movement saw an increase in forestry professions and the creation of national parks with two main goals:
To conserve and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage of the area
To promote opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Park by the public
(New Forest National Park)
The Conservation Movement was followed by the Environmental Movement that began around the 1960s. It was in the 1970’s that we saw some of the most impactful environmental shifts.; Earth Day, the largest environmental movement, and CITES. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which was signed at the Washington Convention on March 3, 1973, laid the foundation for World Wildlife Day. “CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. It aims to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species” (CITES).
Why was CITES important then and still important now? “Levels of exploitation of some animal and plant species are high, and the trade in them, together with other factors, such as habitat loss, is capable of heavily depleting their populations and even bringing some species close to extinction. Many wildlife species in trade are not endangered, but the existence of an agreement to ensure the sustainability of the trade is important in order to safeguard these resources for the future” (CITES). CITES recognized the issues that were present without an international body protecting flora and fauna, while considering future issues. It continues, to this day, to adapt to ensure that extinction isn’t something we need to be constantly worried about. At the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP16) in 2013, World Wildlife Day was officially declared a holiday and has been celebrated since 2014.
World Wildlife Day
World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the beauty in every ecosystem and to remember its importance. This day seeks to raise awareness of flora and fauna while urging us to fight for our environment before it begins to fight against us.
Since its creation in 2013, every World Wildlife Day has a theme that tackles an issue that is negatively impacting biodiversity. This year’s theme is “Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Conserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods”. According to the United Nations, this year’s theme hopes to highlight the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants. “World Wildlife Day 2026 will serve as a platform to highlight the vital role of medicinal and aromatic plants in sustaining human health, cultural heritage, and local livelihoods.
It will showcase the diversity of these species—from aloes and frankincense to orchids—their contributions to traditional knowledge and primary healthcare, and the growing pressures they face from habitat loss, overharvesting, and climate change. The observance will also explore the challenges encountered by Indigenous peoples, rural communities, governments, and conservation partners, and the collaborative actions needed to ensure that these plants are conserved and used sustainably for future generations to continue benefitting from them” (United Nations).
Wa herbs
Today, it is so common to go buy over-the-counter medicine to treat common ailments and colds. It’s almost strange to consider natural alternatives first. As such, many have forgotten the treasure found in medicinal and aromatic plants. So, today I would like to remind you of a few Japanese plants to consider the next time you’re feeling a little under the weather. I am not a doctor, so please consult a medical practitioner before implementing any of those herbs into your diet.
According to the Wa Herb Association, Wa Herbs are "plants native to Japan that have been growing wild since before the Edo period." Some common Wa Herbs are shiso, yomogi, kuromoji, and mitsuba.
Shiso
There are two types of shiso: red and green. “Shiso is expected to have sweat-inducing and fever-reducing effects, as well as to regulate the stomach and intestines. It can be eaten in a variety of ways, such as as a garnish for sashimi, wrapped around meat and grilled, or shredded to add color to dishes or as a condiment. It can be said to be one of the Japanese herbs that is easiest to incorporate into daily life” (Magazine Cainz).
Yomogi (Japanese mugwort)
“This herb can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways. For one, yomogi has many uses in traditional Japanese medicine. Full of Vitamin K, it is thought to play a role in improved coagulation and blood purification. Also, due to its high dietary fiber content, yomogi has been used as a treatment for constipation, while the chlorophyll in its green leaves can aid in lowering cholesterol. And, as an added benefit, yomogi added to bath water (like in bath salts) is considered good stress relief due to its warming properties and spring-like aroma” (Savvy Tokyo).
Kuromoji
“Kuromoji, which is also used in Yomeishu sake, is expected to have effects such as regulating the intestines and suppressing coughs. In addition, people in the past would make a decoction of Kuromoji to soothe eczema and other ailments” (Magazine Cainz).
Mitsuba
“Most often used in cooking, mitsuba is prized for its crispness and delicate, refreshing flavor. In English, it has been described as tasting like a cross between parsley, cilantro, and celery leaves. It also is thought to mean good luck and appears atop many Japanese celebration dishes, like New Year’s ozoni (rice dumpling soup) and Hina Matsuri’s osuimono (clear broth)...Indeed, in traditional Japanese medicine, mitsuba is said to decrease irritability and improve appetite and digestion. It is also thought to help control high blood pressure, relax muscles, and help relieve high stress” (Savvy Tokyo).
Celebrating World Wildlife Day
The official CITES website gives some great information on how you can celebrate the day and ways you can support the initiative.
“As we approach 3 March, there are several ways to take part in this year’s global celebration:
Organise and register your satellite celebration activity or event on the World Wildlife Day website and share with the world how you plan to celebrate in your community.
Download, use, and share the Official WWD2026 Poster, designed by the Official Poster Contest Winner Ms. Hannah Payet, and promote the theme at your event, with a virtual background, or on social media.
Submit your film to the Jackson Wild Film Showcase, deadline extended to 11 February, to share your powerful stories about wildlife and the people conserving it.
Use the WWD2026 Social Media Kit, which contains ready-made social media assets to support your outreach leading up to or on the Day.
Join the United Nations Celebration Event, to be livestreamed on the World Wildlife Day YouTube channel on Tuesday, 3 March 2026. Details coming soon.”
If you’re in Japan and interested in learning more about Wa Herbs, check out this Zoom seminar hosted by Rohto Children's Future Foundation on March 3rd. https://future-for-children.rohto.co.jp/wa-herb/
March 7th and Sunday, March 8th, 2026, 10:00-15:00 each day [Event will be held in the rain, but will be cancelled in severe weather]
Location: East Garden, in front of the five-story pagoda and in front of the old main gate.
In relation to this year's theme, "Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Preserving Health, Heritage and Livelihoods," panels will be used to introduce the uses and current status of medicinal and aromatic plants associated with each zone.
Organization Spotlight
Many local, non-profit, and government organizations are doing amazing work to preserve biodiversity. Below are 4 organizations that I thought could be a good start for those of you who are interested in protecting and learning how to protect ecosystems.
The Japan Wildlife Conservation Society (JWCS) aims to create a society where humans and wildlife can coexist. The globalization of economics has had enormous effects on wildlife, for which many of Japan’s policies, business activities, and consumer behavior are responsible. As a Japanese non-profit NGO, we aim to bring attention to problems and suggest appropriate solutions.
In our activities, our basic principles are:
1) to keep in mind that ecosystems provide the basis for the survival of humanity,
2) to avoid simplistic artificial solutions,
3) to require decision-making to be based on the precautionary principle.
JWCS makes recommendations and offers opinions on policies from the viewpoint of conservation.
Stability of the local communities around them is an important factor in keeping wildlife habitats.JWCS’s habitat support activities aim to accumulate small achievements to give hope to local people, and to diffuse its information so that the situation of the habitat is understood in distant Japan.
JWCS investigates current conditions in Japan, makes recommendations on government policy, and disseminates information to support wildlife conservation worldwide
The international situation regarding conservation is changing every moment, but the Japanese media gives it little coverage, so it is difficult for the public to obtain information in Japanese on current problems. JWCS attends international conferences in order to collect information for domestic release in Japanese, while disseminating information worldwide on the situation in Japan.
We endeavor to educate consumers about the need to reduce consumer demand for wildlife and how lifestyle changes can protect vulnerable habitats.
The 1990s, the period during which Picchio was first established, saw much of Japan’s nature being exploited for economic gain. Forests were removed for the purpose of building more houses, golf courses, and hotels. It was a time in which not many people were interested in nature, and certainly not much was being done to protect it. The founders of Picchio wanted to change this, and the method of gaining value from the forest without its destruction was born through our first nature tours. In the same decade, Picchio introduced its conservation strategy to directly maintain the local ecosystem and encourage coexistence between people and wildlife, specifically bears.
Our Mission
We believe discovering the economic potential of nature through non-destructive means is the most sustainable way to protect and preserve it for future generations. This is why we began conducting nature tours, not only with the purpose of spreading the value of nature but also to generate a self-sustained income with which we could support our conservation efforts without relying entirely on donations or grants. For us, both our conservation and eco-tours are essential for protecting nature, and it is this combined approach that makes us a unique organisation.
Through our tours, we hope to bring people closer to nature while also immersing them in some of Japan’s most beautiful natural areas without causing harm to the environment. And through our conservation, we hope to ease the conflict situation between humans and bears; promoting coexistence and contributing towards the maintenance of a healthy ecosystem. We hope that by combining ecologically responsible tourism with focused conservation efforts, we will ensure the preservation of our local habitats while inspiring others to share our passion for nature and wildlife.
Helping to save the lives of bears through conflict countermeasures and other comprehensive techniques
Picchio has been working closely with Karuizawa town for over 20 years to manage and protect the local population of Asiatic black bears through a combination of unique management techniques. As a result of our non-lethal methods, we have been able to save the lives of many bears when compared to other areas of Japan.
Using research to further understand bear behavior and develop ways of reducing conflict
As well as managing our local bear population on a daily basis, Picchio has also conducted various research projects over the years with the aim of furthering our understanding of this complicated species. We are now working on utilizing new technology to further improve our ability to reduce conflict between people and bears.
The Ecosystem Conservation Society-Japan is an environmental protection organization that works with citizens, businesses, and government to build a sustainable society in order to protect biodiversity and pass it on to the future.
Creating sustainable systems to protect and preserve nature.
Partnership with citizens
A sustainable society is created by the will of each individual. We are working to connect that will and expand the circle.
A natural cemetery that returns a former sand mining site to forest → Forest Cemetery
Buying and protecting land → National Trust
Introducing advanced cases → International Forum
Partnership with corporations
We collaborate with companies on research and projects that create value by protecting and enhancing ecosystems rather than consuming them.
Quantifying the biodiversity value of your property → JHEP Certification
Certification of the contribution of grassland environments to biodiversity → G certification
Lobbying activities
We make various proposals to the legislature and the administration, including amending laws and ordinances, reviewing systems, and enacting new laws.
Creating a mechanism to protect biodiversity → Policy recommendations
Advocacy activities
We investigate local wildlife and the characteristics of the town, and propose measures for biodiversity and urban development.
Proposals for urban planning and regional natural regeneration → Urban Development
Environmental Education
We are creating a system to spread biotopes in educational and childcare settings and expand environmental education.
A place to present initiatives → National School and Playground Biotope Competition
Examples of environmental education → Overseas Garden Tours
Qualification examinations
We conduct qualification examinations to develop human resources who will be involved in biodiversity city planning and environmental education.
Qualifications for urban development engineers → Biotope Manager Qualification Examination
Qualifications for education and childcare workers → Child Environment Manager Qualification Examination
So much beauty can be found in nature, and we can do more than we think we can for the environment. Whether that’s recycling, being mindful of energy consumption, supporting companies with sustainable practices, or supporting organizations that are directly involved in solving environmental issues. A small change has the power to have a huge, powerful impact. 🌍
“In nature, nothing exists alone.”
– Rachael Carson
IMAGE 1 https://www.azolifesciences.com/article/Importance-of-Healthy-Ecosystems-for-Global-Health.aspx
YOUTUBE LINK https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx-sVaZ-yGw
IMAGE 3 https://www.freshorigins.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Shiso-Bicolor-Leaf%E2%84%A2-scaled.jpg
LINKS
https://www.newforestnpa.gov.uk/about-us/our-purpose-and-value/#:~:text=National%20parks%20are%20known%20as%20%22breathing%20spaces%22,the%20special%20qualities%20of%20the%20National%20Park**
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