A Miyawaki forest field planting
Today’s good news story comes from the Community Impact Newsletter. Thanks to The Producer for sending it to me.
St. Edward’s University partners with H-E-B to plant first Central Texas Tiny Forest
St. Edward’s University and H-E-B have partnered to grow Austin and Central Texas’s first Tiny Forest using the Miyawaki Method. (Courtesy St. Edward’s University)
How it works
On Jan. 17, H-E-B team members, community volunteers, university students, faculty, and staff joined together to plant 54 square meters with 164 trees and shrubs.
The project uses the Miyawaki Method, an approach that enables trees to grow 10 times faster and seclude 10 times more carbon than traditional tree planting methods.
Arborist and sustainability coordinator Roy Johnson explained how the method differs from conventional tree planting.
“We can use this method to provide all of the benefits of conventional tree plantings, such as air and ground water filtration, erosion control, and cooling the air through evapotranspiration,” Johnson said. “However, using this specific and detailed method, trees can be expected to grow much faster than conventional plantings.”
Through this method, the trees planted at the event are expected to reach full maturity within the community’s lifetime, as stated in a news release.
Natural resources intern Veronica Chavez said the project will reduce the negative effects of urbanization on the local community.
“Even on just a local level, a tiny forest can improve air quality, help with stormwater management, and provide a cooling effect for the surrounding areas,” Chavez said. “It also becomes a habitat for local wildlife and pollinators, encouraging increased biodiversity in the area.”
The background
According to the news release, the Miyawaki Method crafted by botanist Akira Miyawaki was inspired by his time witnessing large-scale deforestation from World War II and overdevelopment in Japan.
The project is a proof-of-concept model that can be shared with overdeveloped communities in need of the benefits of trees, such as areas within the eastern crescent of Austin, which typically receive low tree equity scores.
The event marks the second year of the university’s collaboration with H-E-B through its Trees for Texans program, which aims to support healthier environments for schools, parks, and communities throughout Texas.
Get involved
Community members can directly help the Tiny Forest project by participating in a fringe mantel planting in the fall or reaching out to sustainability@stedwards.edu for information about how to plant a tiny forest in their community. Interested individuals can also stay updated with the forest by checking out its Instagram @Seu_food_forest.
Quote of note
“These tiny forests won’t check every box needed for climate change mitigation and environmental justice, but they have the ability to be a massive boost to both,” Johnson said. “It seemed like we should jump on the opportunity to start introducing this concept to Austin sooner rather than later. We are very excited about the potential and very pleased that the ball has started rolling.”
Fiction Favorites 
Sounds like something that should be done in many other places. Can think of a few clearings around here that would make a good mini-forest.
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It does work anywhere, it seems.
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Wonderful and inspiring share, John. Treemendously satisfying.
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Thank you, Pat. I thought the same.
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😻😍👍💯
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😀
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Very hopeful post, John. Thank you! It always amazes me how good can come from bad situations–your JohnKu captures that reality perfectly. 😊
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Thank you, Gwen. It is rewarding to see a bad situation produce a good result, for sure. Wishing you a peaceful weekend. 😊
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What a great list of possibility and hope, John! ♥️🙏
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Thank you, Cindy. I agree. 😊
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What a wonderful share, John. I don’t doubt this method could be used all over the world.
Happy Friday!
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Happy Friday to you, Dale. I agree, it could be used everywhere.
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Thank you.
Cheers ya tomorrow!
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This is interesting both for the purpose and the methodology.
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I agree. Hopefully, more will try it.
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Oh my goodness John! It was so good to read a good news story today when everything else I read seems to be bad news. Thanks!
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All depends on who you choose to read, Steve. 😀
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A very interesting and worthwhile venture, John. Another great example of humans actually helping the Earth, which by extension helps us all. Thanks for sharing this.
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Fabulous! We have an open area here that would work!
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This is great, John. We should do this everywhere.
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I agree, Kymber. 😀
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There are so many areas where this could be done. Let’s hope so. Great news story to share, John.
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