前田一歩園財団——年表
1957:
主前田正次死去。正次の妻、光子が第三代園主となる。光子は、夫正次の阿寒地域における自然環境を保存したい、地元住民の福利を向上させるよう観光振興したいと望みを継ぎ、森林の保護と、観光の促進に努めるとともに、財団の法人化にも取り組む。また、アイヌの人々に土地を提供して、彼らが自立して生活できるように支援し、また前田奨学金によって多くの若者が勉学を続けられるように助力。そんな彼女を、アイヌの人々は親しみを込めて「阿寒の母」と呼んでいます。
1983:
4月1日、財団法人前田一歩園財団の設立。前田光子、前田エア子、前田峰子の経済的支援を受けながら、自然環境の保全を目的として事業を開始。前田光子は、財団法人の初代理事長に就任。
その後、前田一歩園財団は森林施行の方針を制定し、皆伐の禁止、野生鳥獣の営巣木の維持、水辺環境の保全を定めた。自然の力に対抗して戦うのではなく、できるだけ自然の力を利用するという原則に基づき、所有する森林を原始の状態に森林を復元するための努力を続けている。
History of the Maeda Ippoen Foundation
1957:
Shoji Maeda, the second director of the Maeda Ippoen Foundation, passed away. His wife, Mitsuko (1912–1983), became the foundation’s third director. Continuing her husband’s wishes to preserve the natural environment and establish a permanent tourism industry in the Akan region that improves the welfare of local residents, she endeavored to protect the land, promote tourism, and also to turn the foundation into a corporation. She provided land for the use of the native Ainu people, enabling them to live more independently, and helped many young students continue their education through the Maeda Scholarship Fund. She was affectionately known as “the mother of Akan” by the Ainu people.
1983:
On April 1st, the Maeda Ippoen Foundation became an incorporated foundation. Receiving financial support from Maeda Mitsuko, Eako, and Mineko, the business begins the preservation of the area’s natural environment. Mitsuko becomes the corporation’s first chief director.
Subsequently, the Maeda Ippoen Foundation established forest operation policies, including a ban on clear-cutting forests, protecting trees that contain nesting wildlife, and conserving waterside ecosystems. With the principle of harnessing the power of nature rather than fighting against it, the foundation continues to restore this region to its original natural state.
