A Miniature Forest Will Be Planted In NYC This Spring
Though called the Concrete Jungle, sometimes it seems like NYC focuses more on the concrete part of its nickname than the jungle part, but some more greenery is heading to the city this spring!
A tiny, 2,700-square-foot forest is set to be planted on the southern end of Roosevelt Island, the first of its kind in the city!
Constantly lapping at the shorelines, the strong currents of NYC’s East River constantly threaten Roosevelt Island with storms and floods. To combat this, the strategic position of this mini forest will stabilize the land and capture water, serving as a living barrier against flooding and erosion and preventing pollutant runoff.
SUGi, a company that works to rebuild biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and re-establish connections to nature in different communities, are the ones behind the forest, named the Manhattan Healing Forest.
The forest will be planted using the using the Miyawaki method, created by Japanese botanist and plant ecologist Akira Miyawaki. The forest location is first prepared with compost and mulch before planting native trees and shrubs close together, encouraging them to grow rapidly.
When planted using the Miyawaki method forests become self-sufficient within three years.
Roosevelt Island’s mini forest will consist of 1,000 native plants, trees, and shrubs, including White Oak, Virginia Strawberry, Butternut, New York Fern, and Eastern White Pine.
The forest will not only provide a habitat for migratory birds, insects, and a variety of urban wildlife, but also clean and enhance NYC’s air.
The Manhattan Healing Forest will be the 200th forest planted by SUGi. The New York Times says the forest will be planted in Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park atop a large unused garden bed.
Ethan Bryson, SUGi Forest Maker, stated:
When I first visited Manhattan and walked around its busy concrete sidewalks my neck would ache from looking up at the glass and steel forest of towering buildings. Now I look to the ground searching for bare soil or native plants that have been here long before the buildings…Creating an urban environment in balance with nature can make it even better. This is our intention with the Manhattan Healing Forest.
According to The New York Times, community volunteers will begin planting the mini forest on April 6th, 2024. Learn more about the forest here.
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