Climate Local Now: A Mini Forest? What on Earth?

by Mark Haubner

This column is presenting a new-to-us concept, something that has taken off in thousands of places around the world already; come join us in catching up!

A book by Evan Pritchard (Henry Hudson and the Algonquins of New York: Native American Prophecy & European Discovery, 1609) describes the view of Long Island from a near-shore sailing trip at one point: the woodlands covered the land up to all of the beaches and shores for the entire trip.

Pictured Above: A Miawaki Mini Forest planted at the Worcester Public Library in Massachusetts in 2024.  | Biodiversity for a Livable Climate photo

This sounds completely foreign to the view from a boat today, with our marinas and jetties and tract housing and condos on the bluffs, because we have cleared not just acres but a thousand square miles of woodland and wetlands, which grew here over tens of thousands of years. (Fun fact: Long Island, at 1,400 square miles, is the largest island in the contiguous US.)

Why Mini?

For the same reasons that farmland is so fiercely expensive, and new housing starts are financially daunting, the obstacle to finding reasonably-priced land (an oxymoron on Long Island) is the main barrier to entry to these installations.

A What?

In the 1970s, Japanese botanist, Akira Miyawaki developed a method of restoring native forests in urban and industrial areas, a response to the destruction and degradation of Japan’s ancient native forests. Simply by densely planting native species and improving soil conditions, Miyawaki mini-forests grow much faster than conventional reforestation efforts, often maturing in 10 to 20 years instead of 100.

There are many discussions about the benefits of putting forests where there had been none before (afforestation) and about the care needed to put forests back where they had been removed (reforestation), and the miniforest approach addresses both of these concerns. Using a well-researched and documented list of trees, shrubs, flowers and vines, which have evolved over millennia, we can replant an area of as few as 400 square feet to replicate the flora of our ancestors.

Put It Where?

One great thing about putting a Miyawaki miniforest somewhere is that it only needs a minimum of about 400 square feet, the space of 20 parking places in a parking lot. One could put one easily into a nice-sized corner of a one-acre lot to a space of about 3,000 square feet (a decent meadow is about this size). Another perfect candidate for space is in one of our too-small-for-too-much-else pocket parks. And an apartment complex with no shade will benefit greatly from one of these.

Retaining stormwater, improving soil, filtering road toxins and pollutants, creating living spaces for animals, birds and insects, giving pollinators a fair chance, and cooling off spaces hot enough to bake eggs — the benefits create a long list for everyone. (Note: It’s not just about the CO2, it’s part of the greater carbon and water cycles.)

The Community!

Building a miniforest is not just for a neighborhood, but also the larger community; and underway now is an effort to tie all five towns of our Peconic Bioregion together with these installations. The planning and installations take dozens of (and sometimes 100!) people to make the work happen, and there’s a place for everyone in the process. 

Looking at most of the pictures of the installation of a miniforest, you will see K-12 and college ages represented in the planting days. Most people who are interested, care and are concerned with the health of the planet have as their longest memories being a child and camping, hiking, fishing, hunting or simply planting a tree in third grade during Arbor Day. Here’s your chance to make a lifelong impression on a young person.

Keep Your Eyes Out!

Southold: Partnering with the North Fork Environmental Council, Southold’s Conservation Advisory Council and ReWild North Fork are under the earliest stages of discussion already.

Riverhead: Our Environmental Advisory Council has been in discussion with various departments and staff already, and we are headed to formal, but short, presentations in the near future. Please call if you would like us to present the concept to your organization, non-profit, or civic group.

Southampton: Carbon CREW- We are already partnering with CREW to present at one of their Office Hours in November, and we’ll be sure to let everyone know when we have the date and a Zoom link for you to participate.

East Hampton: ReWild Long Island- Partners in various other Nature-based Solutions, our friends at ReWild (both forks!) are instrumental in getting new ideas into the ground.

Shelter Island: We’re planning to bring our program to our earliest partners and supporters in the bioregional Food Scraps-to-Compost programs, and we look forward to their ideas, as always.

There’s More!

Please take advantage of the hundreds of articles and videos on “Miyawaki miniforest,” using whatever YouTube, search engine or AI tool you choose. My main involvement and awareness comes from   https://Bio4Climate.org, the Biodiversity for a Livable Climate website, and I would urge you to start there.

See you at the first installations in the Peconic Bioregion!

Mark Haubner has been recycling newspaper since 1965, and not seeing his example being followed by everyone on the planet, started learning Science Communication in earnest about six years ago. He got a Certificate in Sustainability and Behavior Change from the University of California at San Diego (the daily commute was grueling) and now writes Community Based Social Marketing programs for the various nonprofits with which he is involved.

Climate Local Now is a partnership between the East End Beacon and two leaders of a grass-roots group inspired by the science of Project Drawdown to advance local climate solutions.

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