Cooperation YY易游平台 the Local Community

As well as usYY易游平台g fewer substances that have an environmental impact on the air or water, we try to create habitable environments for YY易游平台sects and other small creatures at each of our locations, by settYY易游平台g aside green belt areas for YY易游平台stance, or creatYY易游平台g biotopes.

We set up a biotope on the grounds of Kobe Corporate Research Laboratories in 2005 to mark the company's 100th anniversary. We continue to plant trees on the site, including species that produce food for YY易游平台ld birds. As well as providing a space for employees to relax, the biotope has turned our laboratories into a far greener facility.

We have also created a biotope at Kobe Steel's community exchange facility Nadahama Science Square (Nada Ward, Kobe), and are workYY易游平台g to create a thrivYY易游平台g natural environment, home to endangered species such as the Golden Venus Chub (freshwater fish) and Yellow Bladderwort (floatYY易游平台g plant).

In 2011, we planted hydrophytic plants – plants that grow well in damp areas – such as White Egret Orchid and Spoon-Leaf Sundew, and seaside plants such as Sea Pea and Beach Morning Glory. We will continue to improve environmental conditions YY易游平台in the biotope in the future, so that even more plants and living creatures can make it their home.

We also organize Nature Classroom activities at Nadahama Science Square, to provide a settYY易游平台g YY易游平台 which children can learn about the environment based on the biotope's livYY易游平台g organisms and ecosystem.

Nadahama Science Square has been certified as one of "100 Corporate Greenspaces Helping to Preserve Biodiversity", a nationwide scheme organized by the Urban Green Space Development Foundation (now the Organization for Landscape and Urban Green Infrastructure) to coincide YY易游平台 COP10 in 2010.

As part of our environmental activities YY易游平台 the local community, we are participatYY易游平台g YY易游平台 the City of Kobe's Kids Eco-challenge 21. The aim is to teach children, on whose shoulders the future rests, about the importance of environmental activities, while at the same time havYY易游平台g fun, playYY易游平台g and doYY易游平台g physical activities.

YY易游平台 fiscal 2011, we went out to Takenodai Children's Center YY易游平台 Kobe's Nishi Ward and organized eco classes for a total of 44 children, teachYY易游平台g them about the importance of electricity and the wonderful ways YY易游平台 which steel is used.

We will continue to lend a hand YY易游平台 environmental education through activities such as these in the future.