How to make a community micro-forest

Do you want to make a difference in your neighbourhood? Do you want to bring community together and build a project that matters? Well this might be the online workshop for you. 

I'm a Landscape Architect and founded the social enterprise, The Climate Factory, in 2019 in response to the devastating impacts of climate change. I have two adult sons and want to be able to say to their children, that I gave it a red hot crack. So in 2019 I built Canberra's first community micro-forest on barren parkland.

At the Downer Micro-forest we combined water harvesting, organic soil preparation and dense planting to create an oasis in a bland park. We planted 1800 native plants over 2020-21 using a modified Miyawaki method. Some of the Silver Wattles (Acacia dealbata) grew three metres tall in 7 months! 

The Downer micro-forest 14 months after planting. Photo: Jarra Joseph-McGrath

After building the Downer micro-forest I realised we needed a blue-print so others could replicate our projects. So I created the 'Eight Steps to Make a Community Micro-forest' technique. 

Since building the first project I've worked with volunteer community leaders to build the Watson and Holt Micro-forests in the ACT. And we are currently building an endangered Dry Rainforest in Moruya, NSW. We also have a Queanbeyan team who are raising funds for their urban micro-forest in Blackall Park. 

On 28 April 2023 a segment on The Climate Factory's micro-forests will go to air on Gardening Australia. Below is an image of Costa chatting to kids making mud pies at the Watson Micro-forest.

At the Watson Micro-forest we included a nature play journey. Here a girl tests the boardwalk of recycled timber. Image: Edwina Robinson. 

What to expect in the one hour online workshop?

I'll present for 45 minutes on the Eight Steps to Make a Micro-forest and my experience making the four projects that are either built or under construction. My presentation will be followed by a 15 minute Q&A. I encourage you to email your questions in prior to the event - climatefactoryaus@gmail.com

Former workshop participants say the presentation was fantastic, inspiring and exciting.

Once you've purchased a ticket a Zoom invite is forwarded to your email address with a login and password code.  This will happen on the day prior to the event. If you haven't received an email invite check your spam folder and then: call Edwina Robinson 0408 386 381.

If you miss the presentation I will send you the recording. 

I hope you will join me to find out more about what you can do to make a difference in your neighbourhood. 

Find out more about The Climate Factory's projects www.climatefactory.com.au/projects/