What is Forests for Calgary?

The Calgary Climate Hub has teamed up with Alberta Ecotrust on the project Forests for Calgary. Together, we are establishing small urban forests using the successful Miyawaki method. Using 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

Heather Addy of the Forests for Calgary team researched various native species lists and created the following plant selections for our Miyawaki forests:

Bowness Community Association Plant List

Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living Plant List

Calgary Centre for Spiritual Living Plant Guide

Genesis Centre Plant List

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.

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.

 

Forests for Calgary is funded by Alberta Ecotrust Foundation’s Climate Innovation Grant Program.

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We would also like to acknowledge the generous support from the following funders:

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