On May 13, an environmental study session for high school students was held at Matachinuma (Hajiro, Aomori City) near Nogiwa Park.

The study group organized by the Association for the Protection of Shinaimotsugo is held with the aim of protecting and preserving the Shinaimotsugo tree, which is a natural monument of Aomori City, and providing opportunities for local residents and elementary, junior high and high school students to experience nature. We are planning to collect regularly until October, and we will hold three study sessions in which students will participate. This time, 14 students from Aomori Chuo High School participated.

Shinaimotsugo is a freshwater fish endemic to Japan found in Shinainuma, Miyagi Prefecture. It inhabited widely in the Kanto region and to the north, but is now considered extinct in the Kanto region. The northern limit of its habitat was said to be Akita and Iwate prefectures, but in 1993 it was confirmed to be inhabiting Matayanuma, and local residents are working to protect it.

On the day of the event, in addition to hands-on experience collecting, a lecture was given by Professor Emeritus Yuji Sahara of Hirosaki University, and activity certificates were issued to participating students. In the experience, we were not able to collect Shinaimotsugo, but we confirmed Motsugo, gobies such as Ukigori, and striped shrimp. Satoru Takatani, a teacher of Aomori Chuo High School and an adviser to the association, said, "The reason why we couldn't collect Shinaimotsugo may be that the air and water temperatures were low."

Students who participated said, "It was a valuable opportunity to see creatures that I don't usually get to see," and "I was scared of the creatures in the swamp at first, but they gradually started to look cute." I was surprised when I heard that they might go extinct,” said one respondent.

"I want to pass on the rich nature of Aomori to the younger generation, who will lead the future," Takaya said. ``In August, we will drain the water, protect Shinaimotsugo, and collect organisms from the entire marsh.