Light Census Experience On a weeknight, 17 elementary school students gathered at the community center. It wasn’t a secret meeting for the kids but a gathering to take part in the first session of this year’s Wildlife Classroom *'▽' There was a reason we met at night. This mission was to experience a “light census”! The light census, one method for counting animal numbers, was conducted together with the Hunting Area Management Association that carries it out in practice, and we searched for and observed wild animals, including deer. After a short lecture about deer characteristics and other topics, we boarded the bus and set off into the forest 🚌 Some participants looked a little frightened as the forest grew darker, but whenever they spotted an animal they shouted loudly, “There it is!” to report the sighting. Everyone diligently recorded the numbers in their own booklets. Many first graders joined, and some could not yet write tally marks correctly, but they noted their sightings in ways that worked for them. Unexpectedly, we even saw that other animal, but everyone returned safely together ○ Back indoors, we compared the numbers we had found, and the first Wildlife Classroom session came to an end. Although it was within the village, traveling by bus through the night forest was an exciting time! The second session is planned as a camp during the summer break. Look forward to the next report! #Wildlife Classroom #Regional Revitalization Cooperation Corps #Hunting Area Management Association #Nishiokoppe Village #Elementary School Students #Wild Animals #Deer #Population Count #Light Census #We even encountered a bear