Grade 11 Oze Field Trip: Exploring Conservation in an Autumn Wetland　

On October 1–2, 2026, twenty Grade 11 students took part in an optional overnight field trip to Oze. Through field observations and conversations with local experts, the trip connected classroom learning in IB Diploma Programme Geography and Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) with conservation in practice.

Clear skies on both days provided a beautiful setting as students walked through Ozegahara with local guides. Beneath the blue autumn sky, they experienced the wetland’s seasonal colours and the surrounding mountains, where the leaves were beginning to turn.

The trip centred on the question: “To what extent can the conservation and management efforts in Oze be considered successful?” Alongside enjoying the scenery, students discussed conservation efforts and the challenges facing Oze with their guides. In the evening, they continued these conversations at Toden Hut, drawing on their observations and questions from the day.

These two days gave students an opportunity to connect their understanding of conservation with the landscape itself and the perspectives of people working to protect it. We sincerely thank the guides and the staff at Toden Hut for supporting this learning experience.