New Yorkers will soon be able to see the forest beyond the concrete jungle.
This spring, the first-ever mini-forest will be born in the Big Apple, as tree-planting activities that have blossomed all over the world take root on Roosevelt Island.
Dubbed the Manhattan Healing Forest, the small plot of land on the southern tip of the island between Manhattan and Queens is the first of its kind in the city and is home to more than 1,000 different species of native plants. According to the creator of the SUGi project.
Although it’s only about 2,700 square feet (slightly smaller than a tennis court), it has significant environmental benefits, project leaders say.
“We are an island. We think about flooding, we think about storm surge, and the best cure is to plant trees,” said the conservation nonprofit leading the project. Cristina Delfico, founder of the organization iDig2Learn, said: told the New York Times.
“Roots stabilize the land. If the soil is good, there will be no flooding. We need pocket forests in concrete jungles,” she added.
This forest will be carefully constructed using the Miyawaki method, named after the famous Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, which is extremely popular for building permanent ecosystems in urban environments.
In this process, the land is first stripped and a foundation of compost and mulch is laid. Next, native trees and shrubs will be planted nearby to encourage rapid plant growth, according to the Times.
Proponents say Miyawaki’s forests could become self-sufficient in as little as three years and reach full maturity in just a few decades.
It is a habitat for insects and wildlife, helps filter the air, and is also a respite from hectic city life for locals.
“With its diverse flora and fauna, the Manhattan Healing Forest serves as Manhattan’s mini-lung, providing habitat for migratory birds, butterflies, and a variety of urban wildlife,” said SUGi. mentioned in this week’s announcement.
“From the buzzing activity of squirrels to the majestic presence of peregrine falcons and red-tailed hawks, forests are full of life and vitality. Forests are a haven for humans and wildlife alike.”
Manhattan Healing Forest is the 200th facility completed by SUGi. The foundation covers the cost, which typically costs about $200 per 10 square feet, according to the Times.
Pocket forests inspired by Miyawaki are popping up in cities across Europe, Asia, and South America. There are also locations closer to home in Los Angeles and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Approximately 40 plant species are planned for the forest, including white oak, Virginia strawberry, butternut, New York fern, and eastern white pine.
The forest will be planted in an unused garden bed leased from the city by the Roosevelt Island Management Company in Roosevelt Island’s South Point Park, according to the Times.
Tree planting by local volunteers is scheduled to begin on April 6th.
