Source : Perth Now news
East Fremantle locals have joined other Perth suburbs in planting a Japanese-inspired forest in their area.
Richmond Primary School students teamed up with Murdoch University researchers and East Fremantle council staff last week to help plant the town’s first Miyawaki forest on the school grounds.
The Miyawaki method, which originated in Japan in the 1970s, creates fast-growing “pocket” forests in urban areas to improve biodiversity.
Areas in Heathridge, Padbury and Ocean Reef have also utilised the method.
About 300 native plants were installed at Wednesday’s planting day. It’s hoped they will grow into a 100sqm forest in the heart of East Fremantle, 10 times faster than a regular forest.
The town contributed $17,700 towards the project, and mayor Tony Natale said he was proud to be part of the first forest.
“This 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 objective in our climate emergency action plan.”
Students learnt about the Miyawaki method and how to plant the forests from Murdoch University research fellow Grey Coupland, who holds a PhD in ecology and leads Australia’s Miyawaki forest program.
Before planting, the soil undergoes intense remediation and the plants are planted at high density. Native species that would have been growing on the site before it was cleared for urbanisation are used.
This allows the plants to grow more quickly, creating forests that are 18 times more biodiverse and up to 10 times denser than those using traditional greening practices.
Town councillors and members of the climate action reference group also participated in Wednesday’s planting.
“It will be exciting to see the students become ‘citizen scientists’ who will plant and monitor their own forest over the next few years,” Mr Natale said.
“We are also keen to see the results from Murdoch University’s study on how the forest has helped young people in our community.”
As part of the program, PhD student Ines Zevallos is investigating the impacts of Miyawaki planting on the wellbeing and nature connectedness of students who participate in the project.
Seventeen schools in the Perth metropolitan area have participated in the program to date, planting 24 Miyawaki forests across WA.
