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FCF Leadership in Tiny Forests

by:

Martin Nesbitt

FCF is driven to become a leader in Tiny Forests

Forêt Capitale Forest is driven to become a leader in the Miyawaki Method Tiny Forest movement in the National Capital Region. Since May 2022, FCF has planted thirteen Tiny Forests following the Miyawaki Method of afforestation. Five of the thirteen Tiny Forests planted are located at our publicly-accessible Base of Operations in Blackburn Hamlet. 

The Miyawaki Method is a forest planting method created by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki that aims to help restore native ecosystems by accelerating the natural vegetation succession process. The method is characterized by amending the soil with natural and organic materials to replicate the soil composition of a mature forest, planting a wide range of native or naturalized species, and planting multiple canopy layers of mature forest (i.e., overstory, understory, forest floor).

Tiny Forests can be employed as an efficient and effective way to increase access and exposure to green spaces, especially in smaller urban spaces.

Learn more about the Miyawaki Method of Afforestation
FCF Tiny Forest Guide

What’s been planted?

Mulching of Tiny Forest Demonstration Plots

The ten Tiny Forests planted by FCF applied the key characteristics of the Miyawaki Method of afforestation. This is important to note as Tiny Forests that do not apply all the key characteristics, including the soil amendments, may be less effective at accelerating the natural vegetation succession process. Following all the key characteristics will allow the forest to replicate a 100-year forest in 20-30 years.

What’s found in our Tiny Forests?

  • Tiny Forest Demonstration Plot 1
    • Date Planted: May-June 2022
    • Number of Species Planted: 49
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total =441
      • Trees = 157
      • Shrubs = 168
      • Forbes = 108
    • Forest Size: 130 square metres
    • Access: Public
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest
    • Project Funders: Forêt Capitale Forest, Nanabush Food Forests, Tree Canada, Reactine Canada
  • Tiny Forest Demonstration Plot 2
    • Date Planted: June-August 2022
    • Number of Species Planted: 41
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total =214
      • Trees = 66
      • Shrubs = 90
      • Forbes = 58
    • Forest Size: 130 square metres
    • Access: Public
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest
    • Project Funders: Forêt Capitale Forest, Nanabush Food Forests, Tree Canada, Reactine Canada
  • Tiny Forest Demonstration Plot 3
    • Date Planted: August-September 2022
    • Number of Species Planted: 34
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total =441
      • Trees = 157
      • Shrubs = 168
      • Forbes = 108
    • Forest Size: 130 square metres
    • Access: Public
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest
    • Project Funders: Forêt Capitale Forest, Nanabush Food Forests, Tree Canada, Reactine Canada
  • Tiny Forest Demonstration Plot 4
    • Date Planted: September 2022
    • Number of Species Planted: 36
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total =441
      • Trees = 157
      • Shrubs = 168
      • Forbes = 108
    • Forest Size: 130 square metres
    • Access: Public
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest
    • Project Funders: Forêt Capitale Forest, Nanabush Food Forests, Tree Canada, One Tree Planted
  • Ottawa Community Housing Tiny Forest: Riverdale
    • Date Planted: September 2023
    • Number of Species Planted: 50
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total =612
      • Trees = 214
      • Shrubs = 195
      • Forbes = 203
    • Forest Size: 190 square metres
    • Access: Private. Viewable to the public.
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest, Envirocentre, Ottawa Community HousingProject Funders: Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation, TD Green Spaces, Arbour Day Foundation
  • Ottawa Community Housing Tiny Forest: Esson
    • Date Planted: September 2023
    • Number of Species Planted: 46
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total = 546
      • Trees = 210
      • Shrubs = 126
      • Forbes = 210
    • Forest Size: 179 square metres
    • Access: Private. Viewable to the public.
    • Project Partners:Forêt Capitale Forest, Envirocentre, Ottawa Community Housing
    • Project Funders: Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation, TD Green Spaces, Arbour Day Foundation
  • Ottawa Community Housing Tiny Forest: Cutts
    • Date Planted: September 2023
    • Number of Species Planted: 33
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total = 288
      • Trees = 95
      • Shrubs = 95
      • Forbes = 98
    • Forest Size: 92 square metres
    • Access: Private. Viewable to the public.
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest, Envirocentre, Ottawa Community HousingProject Funders: Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation, TD Green Spaces, Arbour Day Foundation
  • Tiniest Tiny Forest
    • Date Planted: September 2023
    • Number of Species Planted: 20
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total =54
      • Trees = 38
      • Shrubs = 16
      • Forbes = 0
    • Forest Size: 16 square metres
    • Access: Public
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest
    • Project Funders: Forêt Capitale Forest, Nanabush Food Forests
  • York Street Public School Tiny Forest
    • Date Planted: October 2023
    • Number of Species Planted: 38
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total = 471
      • Trees = 181
      • Shrubs = 160
      • Forbes = 130
    • Forest Size: 200 square metres
    • Access: Private. Viewable to the public from behind the school fence.
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest, Envirocentre, York Street Public School Project
    • Funders: Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation
  • Jacques-Cartier Park Tiny Forest
    • Date Planted: April 2024
    • Number of Species Planted: 38
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total = 1200
      • Trees = 581
      • Shrubs = 319
      • Forbes = 300
    • Forest Size: 300 square metres
    • Access: Public
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest, National Capital Commission
    • Funders: National Capital Commission

    Learn more about the Jacques-Cartier Park Tiny Forest

  • Robert E. Wilson Public School Tiny Forest
    • Date Planted: September 2024
    • Number of Species Planted: 38
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total = 514
      • Trees = 191
      • Shrubs = 103
      • Forbes = 220
    • Forest Size: 200 square metres
    • Access: Private. Viewable to the public from behind the school fence.
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest, Envirocentre, York Street Public School Project
    • Funders: Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation
  • Ottawa Community Housing Tiny Forest: Russell Gardens
    • Date Planted: October 2024
    • Number of Species Planted: 45
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total = 302
      • Trees = 121
      • Shrubs = 65
      • Forbes = 118
    • Forest Size: 100 square metres
    • Access: Private. Viewable to the public.
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest, Envirocentre, Ottawa Community HousingProject Funders: Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation
  • Ottawa Community Housing Tiny Forest: Wiggins
    • Date Planted: October 2024
    • Number of Species Planted: 30
    • Number of Plants:
      • Total = 153
      • Trees = 58
      • Shrubs = 37
      • Forbes = 58
    • Forest Size: 50 square metres
    • Access: Private. Viewable to the public.
    • Project Partners: Forêt Capitale Forest, Envirocentre, Ottawa Community HousingProject Funders: Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation

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