The first Miyawaki Forests in Hamilton will be planted at Windermere Basin this October! A collaboration between CanPlant and Green Venture, and in partnership with the City of Hamilton’s Forestry section, the microforest will be planted based upon the innovative Miyawaki method of reforestation.
Community members will be helping to plant trees on October 2, 2021. 500 trees will be planted in two 100m2 plots at Windermere Basin Park (105 Eastport Dr, Hamilton, ON L8H 7S4) from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.
What is the Miyawaki Forest Method?
The Miyawaki method, named after the botanist who developed it, is known for its use of dense planting, diverse locally native species, soil preparation, and multilayered design to mimic the complexity of a native forest. This is a new technique for Hamilton, but it has been successful in Japan and other parts of the world for over 40 years.
Tiny forests have been implemented around the world, mainly in urban areas. Other known locations that have had successful outcomes with applying the MF technique in a highly dense city are in Zaanstad, Netherlands and Mumbai, India.
Why Are Miyawaki Forests Important in Urban Areas?
“These Hamilton pilot sites will help provide insight into how we can better reestablish healthy forests in urban environments across Hamilton, which is really important to bringing nature back to our urban centres and building resilience against climate change,” says Green Venture’s Executive Director, Giuliana Casimirri.
“It is time we reintroduce what has been stripped by replanting our forests in an effort to heal from the ecological trauma we have caused,” says CanPlant’s Heather Schibli. “It is our hope that this pilot study will help launch a movement of these urban forest plantings across Canada.”
“The City is proud to contribute to an initiative that not only helps facilitate an increase in Hamilton’s overall tree canopy, but also engages the community through education and volunteer opportunities. From assisting in planning, preparing and planting, the City looks forward to contributing to this project further and supporting our industry partners as we look for new and innovative ways to prioritize tree planting in Hamilton,” says Sam Scarlett, Manager of Forestry & Horticulture at the City of Hamilton.
Want to Plant a Miyawaki Forest at Home?
Thanks to a Keep Hamilton Clean and Green grant, Green Venture will also be planting a smaller ‘Miyawaki Forest at Home’ demonstration plot at EcoHouse. This site will demonstrate how residents can apply the Miyawaki techniques to plant a microforest right in their own backyards. As it grows, the Miyawaki Forest at Home demonstration site will establish a new forest at EcoHouse where the community can gather and learn about native ecology.
This project is supported by Dougan & Associates’ CanPlant program and the City of Hamilton’s Forestry section. A Clean and Green Neighbourhood grant will be helping to supply trees and shrubs to EcoHouse. Additional plants have been generously subsidized and donated by local nurseries Origin Native Plants and Hortico Wholesale Native Plants.
