What the heck is a Miyawaki Forest? And why do I need to know about it?
A Miyawaki forest is one created using a method that involves dense planting of native trees, shrubs, and other plants. It grows much more quickly than a regular forest, sequesters more carbon, and supports more biodiversity. They are especially useful in urban environments because they thrive in degraded soil.
What this has to do with you is that, within our congregation, we have Anya Ustin, a bright, talented young activist who, with the help of her Scout troop, planted a Miyawaki forest in the southeast corner of our UUCC property. She researched all the needed plants, how far apart to plant them, how often to water them, how to protect them from deer and rabbits when they were seedlings, and more. She successfully carried out this whole effort as an Eagle Scout project. Our little forest is currently two years old and already 10’!
Check it out – along with the orchard and the pollinator garden. We will be weeding in the orchard this week, so if you can tell the difference between a weed and a desirable native plant (a plant identifier app helps), feel free to jump in any time and help our pollinators do their life-giving work.
