What is Forests for Calgary?
The Calgary Climate Hub's Forests for Calgary program utilizes a Nature Based Solutions approach to actively increase biodiversity, climate resilience, and community connections across Calgary. Through this program, we also work to address issues of tree equity and climate justice, and grow cross cultural connections and actions to expand our citywide climate community.
Together, we are establishing small urban forests using the successful Miyawaki method. Through this method, a densely-planted 'tiny forest' can grow many times faster than occurs in nature, making this an excellent tool for rapidly greening urban areas.
Introducing The Miyawaki (Mini) Forest Guidebook!!!
Does your community group have some land that is crying out for trees? A typical mini forest only takes up the size of a tennis court! Our Miyawaki (Mini) Forest Guidebook is now available for download! The guidebook captures our learnings from how to start your project to holding your own tree planting event. It provides valuable information for any community group in Calgary looking to create their own Mini Forest. The Calgary Climate Hub is always available to offer advice and guidance to help along the way, but this guidebook is both a great starting point and a "go to" reference manual throughout your project. Let's plant more forests Calgary!!!
Forests Planted
Bowmont Park Tree Planting - October 2022
Marlborough Tiny Forest - June 2023
Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living Mini Forest - September 2023
Bowness Community Association Medicine Wheel Tiny Forest - June 2024
Genesis Centre Tiny Forest - September 2024
Plant Lists and Guides
Check out our Plant Guides for a more detailed description and photos of some of the happy plants that can be found at each mini forest site:
Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living Plant Guide
Bowness Community Association Plant Guide
Dr. Heather Addy researched various native species lists for Calgary and created our plant selections for each mini forest:
Bowness Community Association Plant List
Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living Plant List
Our forest designer, Heather Morigeau, also prepared a description of traditional Indigenous knowledge for six plants used in our mini forests:
How do you get involved?
Consider joining the Calgary Climate Hub Nature Node to join an enthusiastic group of nature lovers who are involved in mini forests and other eco-restoration projects. Email Talynn English, our Volunteer Coordinator, and tell her you would like to become a member of the Calgary Climate Hub and join the Nature Node.
To support this project, and other grassroots municipal climate action projects, please consider donating to the Calgary Climate Hub.
Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living Mini Forest one year after planting.
A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this project a reality, including Rob Miller, Heather Addy, Heather Morigeau, Jared Blustein, Lindsey McDonald, Dave Spencer, Sandra Mills, Lindsay Dandridge, and Tom Schlodder.
We would also like to acknowledge the generous support from the following funders:
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Do you like this page?