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What are Tiny Forests?

A Tiny Forest is a dense fast-growing native woodland, based on an established forest management method developed in the 1970s by Dr Akira Miyawaki.

Tiny Forests brings the benefits of woodland right into the heart of our cities and urban spaces: connecting people with nature, helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change, as well as providing nature-rich habitat to support urban wildlife.

Earthwatch is pioneering Tiny Forest in the UK and is conducting a UK-wide research study to help us understand how these super tiny woods have the potential to be super powerful.

Find your local forest

Tiny Forest x Schools

Filmed with Queensmead Primary Academy and Fullhurst Community College 
at Leicester's first Tiny Forest supported by the OVO Foundation.

Tiny Forest X Schools

Tiny Forests act as a catalyst for change in so many ways, from promoting strong and lasting connections to nature in the next generation, to building teachers skills and confidence in leading inspiring outdoor learning beyond the regular confines of desk-based lessons. 

By spending more time in the natural environment through Tiny Forests, pupils will grow in their curiosity of the natural world and as a result, it gives opening to explore critical discussion about wider issues such as climate change, sustainability and plastic pollution and drive positive action for the planet.

Tiny Forests act as a living science laboratory and when paired with our school enrichment programme, it provides the space for schools to build their agency to create change and gain valuable academic and social experiences.

Through our Tiny Forest X Schools programme, we deliver in-person and online educator training sessions, and school science days at your Tiny Forest. 

To find out how to get involved, get in touch via our contact details at the bottom of this page.

We have been awarded the LOtC Quality Badge! The only national award that recognises both learning and safety for learning outside the classroom providers and is endorsed by the Department of Education.

Find out more about the LOtC

A living science lab

Environmental issues such as flooding, heat stress and loss of biodiversity are increasingly affecting urban areas. Creating thriving and climate-resilient urban areas which also enhance livelihoods and wellbeing, is a considerable challenge.Tiny Forest can play a part in facing this challenge. 

Through the Tiny Forest project, 4 key themes will be monitored by you and your pupils, to understand the environmental impacts of the forest and further drive positive action for the planet. Each of these themes can be monitored using simple Citizen Science guides which you can find in our resources section below. 

Carbon Capture

We expect to see an increased rate of carbon capture through an accelerated growth rate – increased photosynthesis rate means more carbon capture, whilst more biomass production means more carbon storage. When planted, 100 trees are tagged to allow ongoing monitoring of carbon capture at each Tiny Forest. The elements monitored here will be tree diameter, height and mortality. 

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is expected to improve because Tiny Forests are creating a heterogeneric, complex ecosystem within an urban area, providing lots of different niches and habitat opportunities for organisms. These miniature patches of forest can also contribute to the wider urban green network providing corridors and stepping-stones between existing urban green space. Biodiversity will be monitored in 3 categories, butterflies, pollinators, and ground dwellers. 

Thermal Comfort

Tiny Forests have the potential to help regulate urban temperatures. In warm conditions, water taken up by trees evaporates through their leaves, and in doing so removes heat energy from the immediate environment. As this evapotranspiration increases, the tree and its surrounding environment stay at a lower temperature. Tree canopies also provide shade, improving the ambient temperature for humans as well as preventing solar radiation from heating external building walls. The elements monitored here will be air temperature, humidity, wind speed and personal experience. 

Flood Management

All urban trees and therefore a Tiny Forest, also play a role in the hydrological cycle, and so can provide flood management services. Tree roots help water penetrate deeper into the soil at a faster rate, meaning less surface run-off and more water storage in the soil. Also, via canopy cover – tree leaves, branches and trunks intercept rainwater spreading the effect of a rain event over a longer period of time – especially in summer when broadleaf species are out in leaf. The elements monitored here will be infiltration rate, soil moisture, soil compaction, soil texture and soil colour. 

Tiny Forest Stories

Tiny Forest showcase webinar with OVO Energy

Liz Latham, Principal, Queensmead Primary Academy

With a global focus on environmental education, ecological awareness and sustainability, our school community is embracing all opportunities for pupils to participate in activities which highlight these aspects.
For our school and students, the Tiny Forest provides a fantastic opportunity to be part of something which has an impact locally, nationally and globally, by developing their knowledge about biodiversity as Citizen Scientists, pupils understand what affects the natural world in their local area and can link to Tiny Forests across the country to be part of a wider network – this increases their sense of belonging and responsibility.

Tiny Forest Resources

Here you can find free teacher and pupil resources created by the Earthwatch Education team. These resources have been developed to support you in taking curriculum learning, outside the classroom, and into inspiring green spaces such as your Tiny Forest. 

Resources cover Key Stage one, two & three, and the National Curriculum for Excellence. 

Make sure to sign up to our Earthwatch Educators community to hear about new resources coming your way. 

  • Free

Tiny Forest: Citizen Science Guides

  • Download
  • 18 files

Get stuck in with monitoring your Tiny Forest with these primary and secondary teachers guides, monitoring instructions and recording forms. You can find more teaching resources in our Tiny Forest: Teachers pack download.
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  • Free

Tiny Forest: Teachers Pack

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  • 11 files

Here you can find Key Stage 1-3 teaching guides help you make use of your Tiny Forests to create inspiring learning opportunities for your students, explore wider environmental discussion and create positive action for the planet.
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Measuring Carbon With Schools

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  • 4 files

This set of resources has been created to make measuring carbon in your Tiny Forest more accessible to all children and young people, and those with SEND. Each resource has been put together to help you engage your pupils in all stages of citizen science, from understanding carbon capture, to tree identification. These are pilot resources, we welcome feedback on how to improve at education@earthwatch.org.uk
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  • Free

STEM Challenge: Tiny Forest KS2

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  • 8 files

This KS2 STEM Challenge on Forests and Biodiversity guides a class of children aged 7-11 through activities that explore the connection of urban trees to local biodiversity and sets the Challenge to create a mini-beast hotel.
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  • Free

STEM Challenge: Tiny Forest KS3

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  • 8 files

This KS3 STEM Challenge on Cities and Forests explores the benefits of trees in cities and their ability to support urban landscapes, followed by the Challenge to design a climate-proof city.
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