Over 20 GreenUP staff and volunteers worked together to plant a flagship Little Forest at Ecology Park Saturday, Oct. 24.
A small section of GreenUP Ecology Park is getting a major environmental makeover, with more than 400 native trees, shrubs and wildflowers planted as part of a new Little Forest project.
More than 20 GreenUP staff and volunteers gathered Saturday, October 24, to establish the 100-square-metre forest, which features 30 different native plant species.
The planting marks a milestone for the Peterborough environmental organization, which has now established 11 Little Forests at schools and community spaces across the Nogojiwanong-Peterborough region over the past three years.
The newest addition at Ecology Park will serve as GreenUP’s flagship Little Forest, giving residents an opportunity to see the project firsthand.
“We aren’t just planting a forest — we’re growing climate resilience, creating habitat, and nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards,” said GreenUP landscape program manager Hayley Goodchild.
The project uses the Miyawaki method, named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
The approach involves planting a wide variety of native trees and shrubs close together in soil enriched with organic matter and fungi.
The dense planting is designed to encourage faster canopy growth while supporting biodiversity in relatively small urban spaces.
Goodchild says the project is especially important following damage to Ecology Park’s existing woodland.
“In recent years, the woodland at Ecology Park has been impacted by emerald ash borer and multiple extreme weather events, such as last year’s ice storm,” she said.
“Not only will this Little Forest replace the canopy that was lost, it will also expand it for all to enjoy.”
Beyond restoring tree cover, the new forest will provide educational opportunities for school groups, campers, researchers and visitors.
It will also support future restoration efforts through seed collection and plant propagation, helping preserve local plant genetics.
The Little Forest is open for the public to visit at GreenUP Ecology Park.
