Pocket Forests works on restoring biodiversity, soil health, and community connection by making small, dense plantings of native trees and shrubs in built up areas. They use the ideas from the Miyawaki or “Tiny Forest” approach. They also use permaculturethis is where you don't dig the soil and add fertilizers. Instead you plant things that keep the soil healthy and rich naturally to make richer and healthier soil that has become poor by being neglected. Since 2020, more than 100 pocket forests have been planted around Ireland. More than 1,500 people of all ages have taken part in workshops planting and other actions.
Where?
Began in Dublin, but now all over Ireland
Who started this action?
Founded by Ashe Conrad-Jones and Catherine Cleary in 2020
Some quick facts about the project
- Pocket Forests works with communities, including residents, schools, student groups, universities and volunteers, and many other partner organisations
- They plant small “pocket forests” in cities, towns and sub-urban spaces (as small as 6 m² or as large as half a tennis court).
- They plant only native Irish trees and shrubs.
- They use re-cycled and organic materials for soil improvement (compost, cardboard, coffee grounds for example).
- They host workshops on preparing the soil, planting, and tree care.
- They run the ‘Tree Hub’ in The Digital Hub, which grows native trees for planting.
- It has been given many awards, for example a ‘Social Entrepreneurs Ireland Impact Programme’ Award in 2023, and the Oakfield Trust Social Enterprise Grant Award in 2023.
Highlights Click toggle ⊕ to see these
Ashe Conrad‑Jones and Catherine Cleary founded it in 2020, because they wanted to mix nature, community, and creating biodiversity in built up areas. They were inspired by the Miyawaki “Tiny Forest” technique from Japan, and changed it to suit it to small urban sitesbuilt up areas like towns and cities, plus permaculture soil regenerationwhere you don’t dig up the soil, you just plant things that keep the soil healthy.
- They went on to find small urban or community spaces where you could plant dense native trees and plants. They weren’t making a mini-park for people to walk inside.
- They held soil preparation workshops.
- They went on to plant native trees, shrubs, ground covering plants on the small sites.
- They now maintain and care for these “pocket forests” for the long term.
- Pocket Forests grow native trees for planting in their own nursery
- They work with lots of communities through workshops, education, and volunteering.
Why this matters
There is a shortage of green space for animals, birds and plants in towns and built up areas.
Our nature’s richness is being lost. It is also harmed by people planting non‑native or imported plants which our wildlife isn’t used to. Native saplings are very helpful.
In cities, many people are not connected to nature and the soil has become poor. Working together in your local place on a nature project connects people together and they also connect with nature again.
SDG Alignment & Keywords Click toggle ⊕ to see these
- SDG 4: Quality Education,
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities,
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities,
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production,
- SDG 13: Climate Action,
- SDG 15: Life on Land,
Keywords: Biodiversity, Regeneration, Community, Sustainability, Education, City, Dublin
Find Out More about the project
Website: Pocket Forests
Contact: info@pocketforests.ie
Pocket Forests started when just two people saw empty sites in their city not used for anything but where nature could grow. Often we just need to look around us to see the opportunity for sustainability work. Carol and the people in Mulranny Mayo did something very similar. Listen to our podcast to hear the full story and learn how you could do the same
Use what's in your community to develop it sustainably
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