Tiny Forest Coming To Natick High School: Here's What It Means

NATICK, MA — Natick High School is set to get some new plant life in the form of a Miyawaki, or a tiny forest, on campus.

A tiny forest is a "small, densely-planted forest ecosystem composed of a diverse selection of native flora that can help combat the ever-increasing environmental costs of urbanization and natural habitat destruction," high school officials said in a flyer.

Origins of the idea date back to Dr. Akira Kikawaki, a Japanese ecologist and botanist, who "pioneered" the method in the 1970s, officials said.

In Natick, the forest will be planted on a small plot of about 2,000 sq. ft. at the front of the high school's parking area, officials said.

"This site will be home to about 700 young trees, which, along with insects, birds, and animals, will develop into a self-sustaining ecosystem in just three years," a flyer read.

Planting will happen on Saturday starting at 9 a.m. when volunteers will help plant the almost 700 plants at Natick High School.

This project can be done through funding provided by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council's (MAPC) Accelerating Climate Resiliency Program, Natick officials announced.

The town is working to engage with students on various tree-planting endeavors in locally, they noted.

Learn more about the Planting the Future pilot program by clicking here.