In a unique way to help restore the region’s declining tree canopy, several eco-minded groups came together last Thursday, Sept. 26 to create a mini-forest.

Rooted in Trees, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring and preserving the tree canopy in Northeast Ohio, partnered with Cleveland Metroparks Zoo and 30 eighth graders and 15 volunteers from Urban Community School in the Detroit Shoreway to plant the first mini forest in a United States zoo.

Known as a Miyawaki Forest—a dense, diverse forest concept originally developed by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki and growing in popularity for its ecological benefits—the groups planted about 150 trees, while members of the Holden Forests & Gardens' Tree Corps Program planted about 800 trees.

The mini forest planting provides an opportunity to discuss how important trees are to creating healthy environments for both animals and people“A Miyawaki Forest mimics what you would see in a mature forest,” says Christopher Kuhar, Metroparks Zoo executive director, adding that the method involves planting native saplings and shrubs closely together. “Having trees compete for sunlight causes them to grow faster, so you're getting to a mature stage more quickly and you get the value of those trees sooner than you would in a normal planting.”

In just three years, the Zoo’s mini forest, planted in existing green space just down the hill from Rosebrough Tiger Passage along Big Creek, will transform into a lush, full-scale forest to provide educational opportunities and a serene space for the Zoo’s one million annual visitors to enjoy.

“This mini-forest planting initiative symbolizes our commitment to restoring native ecosystems, educating the public about the importance of tree canopies, and fostering community involvement,” says Rooted in Trees founder Paul Abbey. “By creating this dense native woodland area, we are not only enhancing the Zoo’s landscape but also contributing to a greener, healthier environment for the entire community.”

The space is approximately the size of a tennis court with 33 native tree and shrub species, including ironwoods, Ohio buckeyes, red oaks, tulip trees, viburnums, and witch hazels.

The benefits of Miyawaki Forests are numerous. The dense planting introduces competition, promoting faster growth—ten times as fast as traditional forests, according to Abbey. The forest will also provide habitat for wildlife, improve air quality, and help with erosion control and water management.

“We're recreating a very dense forest not that far from downtown Cleveland,” says Abbey. “So we're very excited about all the benefits that a teeny forest, or in this case, a mini-forest, brings.”

Kuhar says the project is both a trial and an educational opportunity. “We're going to monitor some biological variables, the amount of carbon in the soil, the temperature, and the moisture, just so we can show how quickly you can change the environment by planting trees,” he explains. “What we're trying to do is use this to show how quickly trees can grow and how important they are.”

The space will feature shaded areas for visitors and interpretative signage demonstrating the importance of native trees and ecosystem restoration.

Abbey, who has a long history of promoting environmental conservation in Northeast Ohio, says this mini-forest serves as a model for urban green space restoration. “It demonstrates how innovative, community-driven approaches can make a significant impact on our local environment and quality of life,” he says. “We just need to get trees out there—that's the whole idea.”