To help celebrate their 35^th Anniversary, the Rideau Environmental Action League, in partnership with the Town of Smiths Falls is bringing a mini forest to Smiths Falls in 2024. The mini forest will be located at Corbett/Hyland Park, the greenspace between Empress, Sussex, Elgin and Chambers Street, with the planting of 300 trees and shrubs which will take place this fall.

A mini forest — also known as a micro forest or tiny forest — is a community of native trees and shrubs planted tightly together in an urban or suburban site based on the Miyawaki method. The method emphasizes the use of dense plantings, diverse locally-native species collections, soil preparation, and multilayered design to mimic the complexity of a native forest. This dense planting technique results in taller plants in a shorter time period.

Soil preparation took place on April 13^th, followed by a groundbreaking ceremony on April 17^th.  Over forty volunteers braved the cold, wet weather and worked in four shifts to lay down the layers needed to create a base for the mini forest. The Town provided land in the park and provided forest floor material from the compost site, while Gemmill’s Garden Centre provided a water truck and hoses. Next steps will include some strategically placed large rocks at the edge of the site, courtesy of Campbell’s Trucking. Some Grade 7/8 students from Duncan J. Schoular School have painted some paint stir sticks with inspiring messages to be displayed throughout the area.

“Public Works and Utilities along with Planning and Community Services, assisted with the donation of lands and provided materials from the Compost Site to collaborate in ensuring the success of this awesome REAL initiative. This mini forest assists in the continued development of the Town’s tree canopy needs and helps to address climate change. Well done REAL and resident volunteers!”, noted Vanessa Bernicky, Engineering and Environmental Coordinator.  

To stay informed on the development of the mini forest, follow the Rideau Environmental Action League on Facebook or visit their website.

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Media Contact
Joanne Plontz
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
77 Beckwith Street N, Box 695
Smiths Falls, ON K7A 2B8
613-283-4124 ext. 1122
Communications@smithsfalls.ca