A local garden society has received funding to build its next mini forest in Richmond this year.
The Garden City Conservation Society has received $15,000 from the 2025 Living Cities Canada Fund from Green Communities Canada to create another Miyawaki mini-forest.
Mini forests, also known as Miyawaki Forests, are small-scale, densely planted, native urban forests that consist of trees, shrubs and perennials.
The Living Cities Canada Fund is supporting 36 community-based greening projects in 29 communities across eight provinces to re-imagine cities and create new green spaces for learning and connection.
Sharon MacGougan, president of the Garden City Conservation Society, said they are thrilled to have been chosen as a recipient this year for the funding.
“This funding will help us create a new community, Miyawaki mini-forest. We believe the planting of these biodiverse forests is one way of mitigating ecological loss in our community," she said.
The location of the forest has yet to be finalized, but the society is looking at a planting schedule in September, explained MacGougan.
This Miyawaki project will see a new 100-square-metre mini forest featuring 600 trees, shrubs and native perennials, which are all vital to provide shelter and food for wildlife.
No matter how small, green spaces can have a huge impact within the city, according to Emily Amon, director of green infrastructure programs at Green Communities Canada.
"Biodiversity is essential to the health of our communities. But many Canadians don't appreciate biodiversity because they're unaware of who and what lives around them," said Amon.
"Even small pockets of restored green space can change that. When urban residents use their own hearts and hands to re-green their local environment, they form meaningful connections to the land and all its inhabitants."
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