I helped collect samples and data with the Tokyo University Forest Lab (Mori Ken), Hokkaido University Salmon & Fish Research Lab (Morita Kenkyuzo), and the University of Würzburg forest lab. 

Some of Shiretoko's forests are still intact, so the Würzburg team wanted to compare the impact of current climate change and disturbance on native forests across the globe including Shiretoko, Yellowstone National Park and Blackforest in Garmany. We climbed mountains and walked into deep forests to collect vegetation samples, tree data, and insect samples. It was an amazing experience to walk with researchers worldwide, collect data together and eat a great dinner after long surveys for 4 days. 

In addition, I worked with Japanese researchers who are one of the top in forest research and salmon ecology. I heard how they decided their research fields and how they look after young researchers in their labs. It was a great opportunity to discuss the fields of my interests and to learn about their academic life. 

My last week of LiA was "自然教室 (Nature classroom)". This is a week-long wild camp with 33 children around Japan to teach the difficulty of living in the wild, the beauty of nature and the importance of teamwork. This event runs for 42 years and many children who attended grew up as adults who look after forests and nature in Japan. 

The camp was very hard because we had to dig huge holes for toilets, collect firewood, stay alarmed for bears, cook with limited food, plant trees and more. Some children were very nervous, but I tried to encourage children to try new things and work together. Towards the end, everyone got along together and we had a great time. 

Overall, this LiA gave me the opportunities to learn so many different ways to work for nature conservation from research, education, field work to tourism. In addition, I could understand about myself better through talking with so many people and sharing our stories, which inspired me to work for nature conservation and to create a place where people and nature live in harmony.