First Miyawaki forest planted in the heart of East Fremantle to create 100sqm ‘pocket forest’
East Fremantle locals have joined other Perth suburbs in planting a Japanese-inspired forest in their area.
Students from Richmond Primary School worked with Murdoch University researchers and East Fremantle council staff last week to help plant the town’s first Miyawaki forest on school grounds.
The Miyawaki method, which originated in Japan in the 1970s, creates fast-growing “pocket” forests in urban areas to increase biodiversity.
Sites at Heathridge, Padbury and Ocean Reef also used this method.
Nearly 300 native plants were established on Wednesday’s planting day. It is hoped they will grow into a 100 square meter forest in the heart of East Fremantle, 10 times faster than a normal forest.
The town contributed $17,700 to the project, and Mayor Tony Natale said he was proud to be part of the first forest.
“This is an exciting project for the town to be involved in and reinforces our commitment to urban greening in the town,” he said.
“Partnerships and engagement with local schools and community members are also an important goal of our climate emergency action plan.”
Students learned about the Miyawaki method and how to plant forests from Murdoch University research fellow Gray Coupland, who has a PhD in ecology and directs Australia’s Miyawaki forest programme.
Before planting, the soil undergoes an intensive reclamation process and the plants are planted at high density. Native species that grew in the area before it was cleared for urbanization were used.
This allows plants to grow faster, creating 18 times more biodiversity and up to 10 times denser forests than traditional greening practices.
City councilors and members of the climate action reference group also attended Wednesday’s planting.
“It will be exciting to see students become ‘citizen scientists’ who will plant and oversee their own forests over the next few years,” Mr. Natale said.
“We also look forward to seeing the results of Murdoch University’s study on how the forest helps young people in our community.”
As part of the program, PhD student Ines Zevallos is investigating the effects of Miyawaki planting on the well-being and nature engagement of students participating in the project.
To date, seventeen schools in the Perth metropolitan area have participated in the program, planting 24 Miyawaki forests across WA.
