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Mini Forest, Major Impact
We are excited to announce the phase one completion of our second major green space project at Rockdale Academy: the Rockdale Urban Learning Garden Mini Forest! This new tree planting brings social, emotional, and physical health benefits for our neighbors, expands habitat for local wildlife, and offers a new learning space for students. Read on to learn about the history, installation, and importance of this new public green space.
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Dr. Akira Miyawaki, a renowned botanist from Japan, first developed the “mini” or “micro” afforestation technique in the 1970s, and he refined his practice over the following decades. In his “Miyawaki Method,” the soil is prepped extensively, and then three to five native tree saplings are planted within each square meter of the prepped site area. The intended result is a fast-growing, small forest with dense foliage that brings habitat and shade while simulating a natural, layered forest structure, but in a smaller footprint. Over the years, the Miyawaki Method has piqued global interest and, more recently, American horticulturalists have been installing similar Mini Forests at schools, parks, and roadside berms.
Adding productive green spaces like these not only supports local biodiversity and mitigates urban heating in heavily built environments, but it also provides critical benefits to the health of human neighbors. According to environmental cardiologist and University of Louisville professor and researcher, Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar, folks living in and around green space have improved health outcomes, such as better blood flow, lower inflammation, and lower mortality risk from cardiovascular disease, compared to those who do not. Mental, emotional, and spiritual health are also positively impacted by being in green space.
Inspired by the principles of the Miyawaki method and the findings of Dr. Bhatnagar, in the fall 2024 we tried our hand at a dense tree planting on Forest Avenue using large, established trees donated by Natorps’s. This “Forest on Forest” brought 70 new trees into Avondale in an adapted version of the Miyawaki method that could withstand our existing urban conditions. With the success of this 2024 project under our belt, and another donation of large trees by Natorp’s, we were ready to create another planting.
Over this past winter, we began working with Rockdale Academy leadership to gauge interest in adding a Mini Forest to their property. They were excited about the idea and invited us to an all-teacher meeting, where we pitched the idea and got feedback from Rockdale’s faculty. The teachers were excited to have another green space to use as an outdoor classroom and a new relaxing break area for themselves.
With Rockdale on board, we got started. Horticulture staff walked the proposed Mini Forest site with Zoo Architect Dean Violetta, who developed a design focused on user immersion and self-guided exploration. The Horticulture Department’s Projects Team, headed by Dave Padur, took the lead, using heavy machinery to scrape sod, till the ground, plant 65 trees, and backfill with a healthy mix of soil and compost over the course of 5 weeks. Because of the use of heavy machinery, it was difficult to involve students in the planting part of this project, so we got creative.
Student involvement in projects like this one is important, as it joyfully connects them to and encourages ownership over their new green space. Right now, this is especially crucial at Rockdale Academy because the school underwent a consolidation process this past summer, seeing almost a doubling of their student population. This Mini Forest project seemed to be a perfect opportunity for all the students – both new and returning – to stake a claim in their home together.
Working around the dangers of heavy machinery, we were able to involve Rockdale’s students in a few ways this past month.
- Preschool classes, as part of their Construction Unit, were invited to learn about (and even sit in!) the excavator Dave and his team were using.
- On Earth Day, students of all grades joined Bridget Reilly in a birding activity where they got to explore the finished Mini Forest with binoculars in hand.
Finally, we worked with the Rockdale Preschool classes to create colorful labels for each tree in the forest. (picture) Each student got to find their tree with its specially made label out in the Mini Forest this past week, growing their connection and ownership to the forest.
Looking ahead to next school year, once the trees are established, we will invite the students to help fill the forest with understory shrubs and perennials. These contributions and experiences in the Mini Forest will stick with them as they move from Rockdale to their next school, giving them a foundational understanding of the value of green spaces and reminding them that they can have lasting impact on their community.