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Imagine walking into a forest roughly the size of a tennis court.
It’s small but densely packed with native plant species growing strong and tall and brimming with birdsong and sounds from all the animals that call this space home.
Chances are you’re entering a pocket forest planted by the Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program, recent winner of the Premier’s Science Award for Science Engagement Initiative of the Year and the Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.
PLANTING WITH PURPOSE
Dr Grey Coupland is the internationally recognised program’s lead researcher.
She fell into the urban ecology field after viewing a Facebook video about creating dense forests in urban areas using an innovative technique created by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
The Miyawaki method imitates tree interactions in their natural conditions.
Trees planted in close proximity become self-sufficient ecosystems thanks to careful native species selection and soil preparation.
“You’re planting an area the size of a tennis court … cramming plants in and encouraging competition among them,” says Grey.
“Rather than spreading themselves outwards, they grow upwards, and this is why you see such rapid growth in these forests.”
The results of these pocket forests have been nothing short of gobsmacking.
“In a short space of time, we have a really massive increase in biodiversity inside the forest.
“In some instances, it’s even higher than the biodiversity in the remnant bushland on site.”
A FAST-GROWING IMPACT
While Grey aimed to increase urban greening biodiversity, she also wanted to investigate how people could reconnect with nature and if the Miyawaki method could be adapted to WA’s unique conditions.
So the Miyawaki Outreach Forest Program was born.
From the pilot forest planted at South Padbury Primary School in 2021, it has skyrocketed to 26 forests across WA by the end of this year and is recognised as an official UNESCO Green Citizens project.
The program has engaged over 5,200 student citizen scientists who are making these observations and recording data while growing wildlife supporting habitats.
THE SEEDS OF THE FUTURE
By planting pocket forests on school grounds, Grey hopes to reconnect students with nature.
“They’re the future eco-warriors, the future scientists,” she says.
“We need to invigorate their desire to protect it.”
Students produce their own compost to prepare the soil, plant trees and measure changes in the forest, including the number of flowers, animals and temperature.
“They’re monitoring their own plants,” says Grey.
“The forest is growing with them.”
The pocket forests act as living classrooms where students learn about Country and strengthen their connection to it.
“We also tie in with the two-way science initiative, which is about connecting Western science with traditional knowledges,” says Grey.
“They can understand their local environment more clearly through the signals from the natural world.”
URBAN FORESTS AND CHILDREN
Inés Zevallos-Labarthe is a PhD candidate investigating the impact of the Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program on children’s behaviour, learning and wellbeing.
“Our hypothesis is that resilience and wellbeing might be higher for kids that are in the program,” says Inés.
She says children’s involvement in ecological restoration initiatives can help combat feelings of eco-anxiety.
“With the Miyawaki method, one of the biggest things is the social engagement component and how it provides a sense of belonging,” says Inés.
“The forests give people constructive hope … and a self-esteem boost because they’re doing something they’re capable of doing.”
The Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program aims to scale up across Australian schools and communities and showcase how small urban forests can contribute to biodiversity restoration, wellbeing and climate resilience.
“Our long-term goal is to make sure that … every child has access to a natural system within their school grounds where they can learn about and connect with nature,” says Grey.
“The only way the next generation is going to care for the environment is if they love it.”
