Nature & Environment
Pick Up Stories
Yohena’s Ajisai-en, The Hydrangea Garden… [Nature & Environment]
As spring moves toward summer, the floral landscape of northern Okinawa is taking on new colors as hydrangea flowers, or ajisai’s in Japanes...Read More
Okinawa Beach Opening Information 2025 [Nature & Environment News]
Okinawa Beach Opening Information 2025 Ginowan Tropical Beach (Apr. 26) Chatan Sunset Beach (Apr. 11) Chatan Araha Beach (Mid. Apr.) Nish...Read More
International Orchid Show opens Nov. 12 … [Nature & Environment]
Orchids are one of the largest families of flowering plants with some 28,000 different species. They are also widely admired for their beaut...Read More
2013.11.01
Sea Farming Center offers family fun [Nature & Environment]
A visit to the Okinawa Prefecture Sea Farming Center is unique, and this week’s special opening to the general public is an event for both adults and kids. The Saturday open house ...
2013.10.21
“World’s beautiful oceans smiling towards the 22nd Century!” [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heirich-Sanchez Here we are straddling typhoons again while we get ready for a busy week. APE poster is ready and thanks to woodblock artist Naka Bokunen for providing us wi...
Crows attack migrating Grey-faced buzzards [Nature & Environment]
Grey-faced buzzards on their annual migration through Okinawa to south-east Asian regions for the approaching winter are facing an increasing hazard from flocks of local crows. On ...
2013.10.14
Sustainability integrated into system becomes “systainablity” [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez The Nobel Prizes were just announced, and we are sending a big bang of applause for the laureates. While we celebrate these accomplishments we continue to s...
2013.10.04
Blue October Marine Debris Art Challenge on way [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez & Dolores Prin So, Okinawa! Aren’t we lucky? We get to live on one of the most beautiful islands in the world. We don’t want trash in our gorgeous bl...
2013.09.30
Okinawa coast cleanup efforts going strong [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez Several groups have joined us in cleanup efforts throughout the month of September, and a special thanks to them. Johnson Controls took the lead by not only...
2013.09.22
Ocean Megatrends and Ryukyu ICC Challenge from Sep. 22 through Nov. 11 [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez Get ready to hit the beach or dive for clean oceans while we join citizen scientists around the world using “volunteer ocean trash data forms”. ...
2013.09.22
SUP offers surfboard challenges, and more [Nature & Environment]
By David Higgins Stand- Up Paddle Touring and Surfing is the fastest growing water sport in America. When an avid surfer goes out and buys a Stand Up Paddle (SUP) board because thi...
2013.09.15
Sign up to Cleanup and Oceans of Opportunities [Nature & Environment]
The September International Coastal Cleanup is just around the corner. You can join us. We just received pledges from one command to have all of their personnel join the cleanup. ...
2013.09.09
Marine Debris Art Challenge kicks off Sep. 22 [Nature & Environment]
Its time to get ready for the International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) known in Okinawa as the Ryukyu ICC Challenge with cleanups planned prefecture wide as we join volunteers all over ...
2013.09.09
Beauty found across pristine Okinawa [Nature & Environment]
When you live on Okinawa, and are busy with work and family and other distractions, it can be quite easy to forget all the beautiful places Okinawa has to offer. Luckily, with a li...
2013.09.05
Cave exploration ventures deep into Gyokusendo [Nature & Environment]
By Bill Charles Okinawan adventures move underground this month for a bit of spelunking and exploration of a popular cave in the southern region of the island. The cave exploration...
2013.09.02
Time to get ready for 2013 International Coastal Cleanup [Nature & Environment]
All you need to join is at least two pairs of hands as we operate on a buddy system, and be ready for a hot weather, You should also bring a bottle of water, gloves and/or back sav...
2013.08.16
Kids Animal Experience going on at Kodomo no Kuni [Nature & Environment]
A free pass to the Okinawa Zoo, the Kodomo no Kuni, a passport for the Wonder Museum, and original T-shirts are but some of the prizes being offered by the Okinawa Zoo during its K...
2013.08.11
Nago Museum features great photo exhibit on Oura Bay [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez Marines are not the only ones living around Oura Bay. Soldier Crabs also abound there. We are in the middle of summer in Okinawa, and local kids are busy w...
2013.08.05
This is why I hate close encounters with jellyfish! [Nature & Environment]
By David Higgins One fine August morning in Okinawa I drove down to the Sunabe Seawall to the swimming spot with the steps down to the ocean. The ocean looked gorgeous; the sea was...
2013.08.05
Great Creature Exhibition explores biodiversity [Nature & Environment]
Every biodiversity of life that exists on earth, is the origin of culture and civilization, and is the theme of The Great Creature Exhibition now running at the Okinawa Prefectural...
2013.08.04
Blue October for World Oceans Renaissance [Nature & Environment]
By Muneerah Bee Come October, Onna Village based NPO will host the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) Regional Seas Program Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP) Internati...
2013.07.29
Okinawa NGO & Asia-Pacific Environment Forum [Nature & Environment]
By Edo Heinrich-Sanchez Marine trash, especially plastic, is increasingly choking the ocean’s resilience. The Okinawa NGO & Asia-Pacific Environment Forum on Oct. 22nd and 23rd...
2013.07.22
Botanical Garden resumes business [Nature & Environment]
The Tonan Shokubutsu Rakuen, formerly known as the Southeast Botanical Garden in Okinawa City, has reopened after being closed for several years. The grand reopening two weeks ago ...
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