The BC Small Wetlands Association has an exciting new project that aligns with some progressive thinking around more effective carbon sequestration and climate change action. We will be planting native indigenous trees and shrubs in a new way called a pocket forest. This idea has proven so effective that it has been implemented throughout India and Europe to help mitigate the effects of climate change. It is now becoming popular in USA and eastern Canada and the first pocket forest in western Canada was planted at a Richmond BC school in 2022. We plan to be the first to introduce pocket forests to the BC Interior and we look forward to engaging the community and forming partnerships with likeminded organizations in the implementation of the project.
Developed by the Japanese botanist and plant ecology expert Professor Akira Miyawaki, the pocket forest draws inspiration from nature’s ecosystems to create 100% organic, dense and diverse pioneer forests in as little as 20-30 years.
Miyawaki forests grow 10x faster, are 30 x denser and contain 100x more biodiversity. Since they’re quick to establish, maintenance-free after the first two-to-three years, and can be created on sites as small as 3 square meters, Miyawaki forests are viable solutions for cities, towns, acreages and landowners looking to rewild a small or larger area and rapidly build climate resilience.
The Miyawaki method mimics the way a forest would recolonize itself if humans stepped away. Planting indigenous native species that would occur naturally in this area, given the specific climate condition, that have spent thousands of years adapting to their local environment to create a supporting ecosystem, doesn’t just reinstate this biodiversity – it builds a site that’s more responsive to climate change. The afforestation principles are based on an understanding of how these species would interact in a natural forest. You plant a diverse mixture of trees close together to maximize density and create balance. Nature doesn’t thrive in grids of 1.5m; seeds drop from trees randomly to stimulate growth, or fallen trees open up clearings to the sun. As the closely planted saplings have to compete for light, which only shines on them from above, they shoot upwards very fast instead of sideways.
Sometimes less is more, but in this instance, planting a huge variety of native trees close together means an increase in biodiversity. The denseness of growth provides a greater amount of forage for pollinators and refuge for birds. More canopy cover shades out weeds and creates a cool home for insects, plus the increased leaf litter builds fertility and life in the soil. Also, if you have a variety of tree species, you have others to step in if one succumbs to disease. Forests are multi-layered, and as the Miyawaki method mirrors nature, we will select and plant four layers of species that are culturally important to the Sewepemc people, building a resilient green wall of canopy trees, trees, sub-trees and shrubs. We select up to 40 different species to create balance and maximize density.
Visit Pleasant Valley Wetland Heritage Park this year to check on our progress, or look for posts and more information on the website.