children are the agents of CHANGE

Miyajimanuma wetland is an example of how modern agriculture has changed the relationship between humans and the planet. This wetland has been designated a RAMSAR site because of its value to endangered migratory birds, this place is the last stop before the birds must cross the sea to get to mainland China and Siberia. Not only is this wetland shrinking because of the lack of connectivity to the river and drainage from the rice fields, it also suffers from eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) and sediment loading from agriculture. It is estimated that the wetland will be gone in less than 50 years, unless changes in agricultural practices begin soon. Our interpreter explained that framers must be convinced of the importance of saving the birds, they must agree to leave some rice in the fields, refrain from plowing and baling and stop the use of pesticides. In order to affect this change his organization is educating the children, and the children have become the agents of change in their community. The children have come up with campaigns to save the wetlands and the birds.