Environmental awareness through nature study programs in Japan and Australia: A case study comparing interpretation programs presented at vacation village Kazawa [Japan] and Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village [Australia]

This thesis compares programs of nature study for visitors to national parks in Japan and Australia, that provided by volunteers and by rangers respectively during resort holidays. The specific features of environmental awareness as seen through them were also examined. I compared pro-ams of nature study guided by Japanese volunteer-interpreters at "Kazawa Nature Study Volunteers Association (Kazawa Association)" in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, with one by rangers in "Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village (KBRV)" in World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, Australia (also a National Park). Fraser Island in Australia includes two distinct areas. One is strictly protected and preserved in its pristine condition. The other is a resort area, including modem amenities, created with thoughtful consideration to the natural environment. KBRV rangers provide programs related to the social background of folk knowledge of Aborigines and to the Kauri trees(Agathis sustrale) . The main reason behind such pro-ams seems to be the need to compensate for historical injustice to Aborigines for centuries. Here, visitors can enjoy active programs such as fishing and canoeing. Such lively pursuits are complemented by the opposite aspect of passive contemplation of nature from the window, enjoying all the amenities of modem facilities of a resort. The contradictory attitudes to natural environment in Australia is correspondingly observed in the fact that, in spite of setting a benchmark in eco-tourism, the country continues to maintain game reserves. In the Kazawa Association volunteers' nature interpretation program as an example of Japanese nature study programs, visitors are guided, on foot and explanations are ofered to understand nature and to improve enjoyment in nature. Under the motto "Love to watch nature", the goal of such association is to contribute to the development of the local community by attracting nature lovers to the area, and to help them deepen their environmental awareness. However, the programs included very few social activities. I recommended that the Japanese nature study programs deal with both natural and social environment harmoniously to improve their contributions to the environmental awareness.