Miyawaki Pocket Forest at A.R. MacNeill Secondary
Project Details
The project is a Miyawaki Pocket Forest being planted at a school. Using the Miyawaki method will create a local forest that will grow 3x faster than regular planting. This project acts as a way to bring the community together, connect young people with the land, and encourage natural environments in the city.
Project Description
I am implementing (with a team of staff), a Miyawaki Pocket Forest at our school. We are building the forest and also educating the students we currently have in the Incentive Outdoor Education Program to learn how to connect to the land, and nature while being surrounded by a city scape. Throughout the process, community members and non-profit organizations will be involved in the planting and celebrations.
The process of creating a pocket forest is built on the value of connection. The process will connect members of the community (youth, students, adults, teachers, school staff) in connecting with the land and educating ourselves about the interconnectedness of local plants and the ecosystems built within the natural world. This knowledge translates to the connectedness of land and ocean. The hope is to encourage people to think collectively about our world and the environment.
This project has been created in commemoration of the lives of all the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, including two Ocean Bridge ambassadors, Danielle Moore and Micah Messent. We aspire to carry on their legacy and commitment to making the world a better place by creating long-lasting impacts with a firm commitment to driving positive change for the environment and our ocean. We will never forget the light that Danielle and Micah brought to the world and will continue to keep them in our hearts. To learn more about these two amazing people, please visit: Honouring Danielle and Micah – Ocean Wise. This work is partially funded by the Commemoration Fund for Victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Tragedy.
What was your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is letting go of the perfection of the process. Looking at the project from a colonial lens, mean to do lists and deadlines and making sure it involved every little detail. This is not realistic. the project needs me to step away from “organizing” my way through this process. The project requires me to let go, and let nature and people speak for themselves, as the whole project and its process not going to be “perfect” its meant to be natural, loose, realistic, reflective, relational, connected etc.
What was your most valuable takeaway?
My most valuable take away is knowing that I can make an impact, even if it feels slow. The impact of the forest, when it’s built will be incredible. It will have a ripple effect in our community and encourage so many other schools and educators to take on a project like this.
