In late 2024, the Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus (hereafter SFC) was certified as a "Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site" by the Ministry of the Environment. Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites are areas recognized by the government for their rich biodiversity and various conservation efforts made by businesses, private organizations, individuals, and local public entities. Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Sites will be registered in the international database as OECMs*.
*OECMs (Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures): a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in ways that achieve positive and sustained long-term outcomes for the in-situ conservation of biodiversity, with associated ecosystem functions and services and where applicable, cultural, spiritual, socio–economic, and other locally relevant values
The Shonan Fujisawa Campus Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site is located in the Shonan Fujisawa region, a rapidly urbanizing area with a rich natural environment and high level of biodiversity. SFC has been proactively implementing advanced initiatives to preserve the natural environment and biodiversity of the area and to create a sustainable community and campus, utilizing its strengths as an educational and research institution and incorporating the latest technologies. The Nationally Certified Sustainably Managed Natural Site certification awarded on this occasion is a recognition that these efforts to preserve the natural environment and biodiversity have borne fruit and led to the successful preservation of ecosystems and rare organisms native to the region.
