National Institute for Environmental Studies Japan asks for help to save endangered species

The National Institute for Environmental Studies Japan—an organization that specializes in environmental research—is now calling for donations towards their activities concerning conserving genetic resources of endangered wildlife species and observing seasonal biological phenomena conducted by investigators recruited nationwide.

Their Endangered Species Gene Resource Conservation project aims to store somatic cells, germ cells (sperms, eggs, fertilized eggs, etc.), and tissue cultured from the skin of endangered wildlife species in Japan. The collected resources will be kept frozen in a tank for a long period of time. Through doing so, the project intends to maintain the genetic diversity of endangered species for the future and prepare for their possible extinction. The donations that the institute is soliciting would help them preserve more species in the future.

Meanwhile, a separate project focused on the observation of seasonal biological phenomena conducted by investigators recruited nationwide started this year with the cooperation of the Japan Meteorological Agency and the Ministry of the Environment. This project was set up following the Japan Meteorological Agency’s observation of seasonal biological phenomena being significantly reduced in 2020. By cooperating with citizens who can make long-term observations around the country, the National Institute for Environmental Studies Japan aims to build a long-term observation monitoring network and create a system for seasonal biological phenomena rooted in society. Through the money raised by donations, the National Institute for Environmental Studies Japan hopes it can create a system that allows more researchers to participate, with the necessary equipment, travel expenses, etc., provided, and, at the same time, develop automated observation technology.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, more than 37,400 species are threatened with extinction, a number that is 28% of only the species assessed. Therefore, observation involving investigators recruited from the public is a must. Conserving the genetic resources of endangered wildlife species is also essential. With today’s global warming and environmental transformation, endangered species are at risk of becoming extinct any time now.

The National Institute for Environmental Studies Japan has revised its donation system in August this year so that more people could support their activities. Through their calling for donations at this time, they hope people will take notice and give a helping hand to make a difference in protecting the environment. You may donate here (Japanese site) if you are interested in supporting the National Institute for Environmental Studies’ work.