Little Forests Durham
Donation protected
Little Forests Durham is a volunteer-run community non-profit organization focused on delivering tools and knowledge to enable others to plant little forests in our local neighbourhoods and communities.
Our Mission
To plant little forests in every neighbourhood, community park, and city or town hall in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada by 2030.
What are Little Forests?
Little Forests are small, dense, fast-growing, biodiverse pockets of native trees and shrubs representing all layers of a forest (canopy, sub-canopy, etc.) and planted following a strategy developed by the late Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki. Using this method to create little forests - also known as mini-forests, tiny forests, pocket forests or Miyawaki forests- has been successful in Japan and other parts of the world for over 40 years.
Impacts of Little Forests
Little forests are more dense, can grow faster, can sustain much more biodiversity, and can achieve more carbon dioxide absorption than conventional reforestation plantings. Little forests can contribute to climate resilience by improving air quality, mitigating surface stormwater runoff, countering heat island effect, providing habitat, and reducing noise pollution in urban and ecologically degraded settings. Little forest sites can also provide greater access to urban greenspace and empower volunteers to care for and transform their communities.
About Us
We are a group of volunteers who are committed to improving biodiversity in our communities across Durham Region. We work with partners – including businesses, local authorities, schools and communities – to promote, plan, plant and care for Little Forests across Durham Region, Ontario, Canada.
How can you help?
We are a newly formed non-profit organization and depend on donations to help us meet our goals. Every dollar you donate will assist us in promoting, planning, planting and caring for more little forests.
Projects
Uxbridge Little Forest
Our first little forest will be planted in Uxbridge, Ontario on November 2nd, 2024.
Our Website
Please check out our website for more information.
Land Acknowledgement
Little Forests Durham plants on the traditional territories of the Michi Saggiig Anishinaabeg.
Organizer
Helen Vander Byl
Organizer
Whitby, ON