MICROFOREST MAKER - build confidence to create transformational community places with Miyawaki method & water harvesting

Native climate-cooling microforests are one of the best ways to deal with heatwaves, species loss, nature disconnection and climate despair.

A densely planted microforest will cool the landscape, provide habitat, bring community together and create hope for the future. 

This series of landscape masterclasses, led by Landscape Architect and Microforest Maker, Edwina Robinson will give landscape professionals and students confidence to design a microforest or tiny forest with community. 

The course covers:

Week 1: What will your future climate be like, working with community and local authorities, selecting the site (using a matrix), checking soil (45 minutes followed by 15 mins Q&A). Delivery: Online.

Week 2: Designing on Country, Crime Prevention through Environmental Design, water harvesting techniques and details, 
(45 minutes followed by 15 mins Q&A). Delivery: Online. 

Week 3: Plant selection (Miyawaki vs Miyawaki hybrid method), landscape supervision, community planting, maintenance, monitoring, citizen science, launch of practical exercise. 
(45 minutes followed by 15 mins Q&A). Delivery: Online

Weeks 4-5:  Practical Exercise: Design a Microforest in your local area with an appropriate plant palette. Delivery: Self Directed. BOOK a 30 minute catch up with Edwina re your design questions in Weeks 4 & 5. 

Week 6: Present your design and plant selection to the group. 

PLUS you get a:

🌳 2025 Microforest Maker: Technical Manual for Landscape Architects (pdf) - includes landscape specifications
🌳 Bill of Quantities from a recent Microforest project (xls)
🌳 Plant list and numbers from a Microforest project (xls)
🌳 Examples of The Climate Factory's Microforest Landscape Plans (pdf)

REVIEWS

"By putting microforests in urbanized settings, The Climate Factory adapts the restoration-based Miyawaki method to create inviting, community-driven spongey pocket habitats. As a California-based designer, I found the arid environment modifications and comprehensive project implementation strategies to be especially helpful. Edwina's personable approach was a lovely touch, too. Overall, I walked away feeling not only inspired but like a similar project was well within my wheelhouse. Thank you, Edwina, for sharing your experience with us!"

Nadja Quiroz
Landscape Designer
Pollinate Collective, California

EDWINA ROBINSON

Edwina has worked with communities to build five microforests in public spaces in Australia since 2020 and made two microforests at home in Moruya. She is the Founder of the social enterprise, The Climate Factory and Co-founder of the not-for-profit, The Microforest Collective. 

Edwina is a TEDx speaker and taught landscape design at the University of Canberra and the Canberra Institute of Technology. She wants to inspire other landscape professionals to integrate microforests with water harvesting to future proof landscapes.