Volunteers are being called to help plant a mini forest in Richmond this Saturday.
Mini forests, also known as Miyawaki Forests, are small-scale, densely planted, native urban forests that consist of trees, shrubs and perennials.
The Miyawaki Forest will be planted on the north side of Garden City Park, near Alberta Road, between 9 and 11 a.m. on March 23.
More than 300 plants native to B.C. and Canada will be planted in the forest to support insects and animals with shelter and forage.
The forest is part of a project initiated by Richmond South Centre MLA Henry Yao with the help of the Garden City Conservation Society and the City of Richmond.
This will be the fourth Miyawaki Forest in Richmond, the first was planted at Richmond Secondary School in 2022 and a second in Terra Nova Park last year.
Last month, Richmond's Garden City Conservation Society partnered with Network of Nature to install and present a demo mini forest in Vancouver for the GLOBE 2024 Conference.
The idea behind mini forests is to mimic the diversity of a native forest to provide environmental and social benefits for the ecosystem in an urban environment, explained Sharon MacGougan, president of the conservation society.
For example, mini forests can help moderate temperature fluctuations in an urban setting, provide green spaces for people to enjoy, help reduce air pollution and provide habitats for wildlife.
"This style of planting was designed for urban spaces. It provides shelter and food for wildlife, but it is also good for people's souls," said MacGougan.
"It's good for people's health and well-being to be surrounded by nature and not have it disappear around us."
Volunteers who are interested in helping plant the forest are asked to sign up by clicking here.
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