Long ago, the smoke from smelters made many mountains bare. Now many people are trying to restore trees in Ashio. It will take a long time to restore these mountains to their previous existence full of green trees.It is said that is may take 100 to 200 years! Thus for,national, prefectural and private enterprises have each conducted works to restore greenery to the "HAGE-YAMA" (bare mountains)
In 1996, a volunteer group was established. It is called "Growing Greenery in Ashio". Through this group many people continue activies to grow trees on these mountains.
Every year, on the fourth Sunday of April the group holds a Tree Planting Day. They also help school and other volunteergroups plant trees. They hope that many people will learn about environmental problems and the importance of nature through these activities. Anyone who wishes to experience planting trees in Ashio is kindly urged to contact the group.
"Growing Greenery in Ashio" also opened "The Ashio Environment Room" in 2005. There are many books there; one can learn about the environmental problems and history of Ashio there.
