Why A Miniforest Summit? Why Now?
​Across the Northeast, communities face ecological disruption—rising temperatures, shrinking habitats, degraded soils, and stormwater runoff. But there’s growing momentum: more people are planting miniforests using the Miyawaki Method—or adapting it—to restore life to cities, schoolyards, parks, and vacant lots.
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Featuring more than a dozen speakers across two virtual half-days and an in-person bus tour, the 2025 Northeast Miniforest Summit brought together practitioners, researchers, and leaders from diverse fields—including landscape architects, scientists, and community organizers—to unpack the method from root to canopy.
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Miniforests are more than trees—they amplify a web of relationships. This summit planted seeds for stronger connections, collective action, and resilient ecosystems. It’s a response to the energy of those eager to help restore Earth, and a step toward a shared path forward rooted in collaboration.
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To ensure this knowledge remains accessible as our regional movement grows, the live recordings of the summit are now live.
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We recommend beginning with the opening reflection by Hartman Deetz, Mashpee Wampanoag, which reminds us of the importance of cultivating relationships with both human and more-than-human communities — as relatives connected through what we all hold in common: symbiosis, interconnection, and our shared Earth.
What is a Miniforest?
The Miyawaki method of afforestation, pioneered by Dr. Akira Miyawaki, creates fast-growing, dense, diverse and multilayered miniforests composed of native trees and shrubs that can be planted in as little as 1000 sq ft through expedited ecological succession and soil preparation.
These miniforests require just three years of maintenance—watering, mulching, and weeding—before becoming self-sustaining.
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They cultivate biodiversity, improve air quality, mitigate stormwater runoff, store carbon, reduce the heat island effect in asphalt-dominated areas, and more.
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Most importantly, they empower communities to become stewards of living systems in their own neighborhoods, cultivating ecological literacy and a deeper appreciation for native ecology.​
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Watch these video to learn more:
Photo Credit: Somerville Forest, Courtesy SUGi
Summit Goals
By advancing the adoption of the Miyawaki method of afforestation in the Northeast U.S., this summit will:
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Cultivate peer-to-peer learning & knowledge sharing
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Encourage & facilitate the exchange of best practices, experiences, challenges, resources and lessons learned
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Identify knowledge and resource gaps
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Focus on the practicalities of making a miniforest a reality
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Unpack the Miyawaki method
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Stimulate scientific inquiry and research to explore new questions, generate data, and deepen understanding of above- and below-ground ecological processes
At its heart, the summit also seeks to cultivate community, curiosity, openness to experimentation, and a sense of hope—amplifying the transformative power of working with, rather than against, the web of life.​​​
Who is the Summit For?
From a seasoned forest maker who has already planted several forests, to a public official focused on cultivating biodiversity in their district — from city arborists and urban planners restoring concrete-dominated landscapes, to community members just beginning to learn about ecology — everyone will have something to glean from this summit and something to share with our community.​
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While this summit is specifically tailored to the ecosystems of the Northeastern United States, we welcome those from other regions both national and international to attend our virtual programs.​​
Slideshow Photo Credits: Alexandra Ionescu
Schedule
Day 1: Thursday, July 24, 2025
12 pm - 4:30 pm ET | Zoom​
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The Miniforest as a Microcosm (& Overview of Bio4Climate's Miyawaki Forest Program)
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The Miyawaki Method: Past, Present, Future
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Stories from the Field: Miniforests in Cities, Schools, and Farms in Northeast U.S.
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Story Share Circles & Networking (Breakout Rooms)
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From Asphalt to Miniforest: Transforming Impervious Surfaces to Manage Stormwater Runoff and the Heat Island Effect​
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Using the Miyawaki Method to Empower Agroecology and Food Forestry
Day 2: Friday, July 25, 2025
9 am - 2 pm ET | Zoom​
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Miniforests as a Part of the Homegrown National Park
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Scientific Research (Current and Emerging) around Miniforests in Northeast U.S.
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A Brief Discussion on the Life-Cycle of a Miniforest Project: Initiating, Creating, Stewarding & Educating
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Story Share Circles & Networking (Breakout Rooms)
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The Miyawaki Method vs. Ecology of Place: The Importance of Experimentation and Curiosity in Canada’s Miniforest Network​​​​
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If you can't make all the sessions, you will still be able to watch the summit via Zoom recordings available through a special link sent to all registrants.
Featured Keynote Speakers, Panelists & Presenters
A diverse group of keynote speakers, presenters, and panelists will offer valuable expertise during the summit.​
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Keynote Speakers:​
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Coakee William Wildcat, Founder, Mother Tree Food & Forest; Director, EcoRestoration Alliance; and Director, School of Constructive Arts
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Douglas Tallamy, Co-Founder of the Homegrown National Park, Renowned Author, Entomologist and Ecologist
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Hannah Lewis, Author of the Mini-Forest Revolution and Project Manager at Renewing the Countryside
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Heather Schibli, Assistant Professor, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph and Administrator at the Network of Nature
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Presenters & Panelists:
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Alexandra Ionescu, Associate Director of Regenerative Projects, Biodiversity For A Livable Climate
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Andrew Leahy, Education & Outreach Specialist, Horn Farm Center
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Andrew Putnam, Superintendent of Urban Forestry & Landscapes, City of Cambridge
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Anita Roy Dobbs, Team Leader, Forests for Watertown
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Beth Suedmeyer, Associate Planner, Devens Enterprise Commission
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Bram Gunther, VP of Science and Development at Plan It Wild
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Caseylee Basteian, RLA Landscape Architect at the BSC Group
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Leigh Meunier, Organizer, Green & Open Somerville
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Mary Ellen Lemay, Landowner Engagement Director at Aspetuck Land Trust
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Max Rome, PhD, Senior Stormwater Program Manager for the Charles River Watershed Association
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Melory Brandao, Master's Student, University of Delaware
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Nicholas Geron, PhD, Assistant professor in the Department of Geography and Sustainability at Salem State University
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Nicolas de Brabandère, Founder, Urban Forests
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Prassede Calibi, PhD, Founder and Project Director, WIN Fast Forest
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Walter Kittredge, Ecology Advisor and Founder of Oakhaven Sanctuary Nursery
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Visit the link below to learn more about each of our speakers and presenters.
Bus Tour
A bus tour to four different Massachusetts miniforests on Saturday, July 19, provided a reference point for how the Miyawaki method can be used in urban settings, in rural environments, and in collaboration with school groups—including a depaved section of a parking lot that has been transformed into a miniforest.​
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Stop 1: Greene-Rose Park Miniforest: Cambridge, MA
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Tour led by Andrew Putnam, Superintendent of Urban Forestry & Landscapes, City of Cambridge & Alexandra Ionescu, Associate Director of Regenerative Projects, Bio4Climate
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Stop 2: Wright-Locke Farm Conservancy Miniforest: Winchester, MA
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Tour led by Prassede Calabi, Founder and Project Director, WIN Fast Forest & Walter Kittredge, Ecology Advisor and Founder of Oakhaven Sanctuary Nursery
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Stop 3: Lunch at the UNACC / Playground Miniforest in Devens, MA
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A boxed lunch from Marty’s Corner Cafe was provided for each guest.
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Stop 4: Ayer-Shirley Regional Middle School Miniforest: Shirley, MA
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Tour led by Amanda Smith, Project Manager, BSC Group Inc.
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Stop 5: McGrath Parking Lot Miniforest: Worcester, MA
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Tour led by Casey-Lee Bastien, Landscape Architect/ Ecologist, Senior Associate, BSC Group Inc.
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END: Greene-Rose Park Miniforest: Cambridge, MA​​​​​​
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Wear the Movement
We’re excited to share the official 2025 Miniforest Summit Shirt and Tote Bag, featuring an illustration by Heather McMordie, the Summit’s Project & Systems Coordinator — an invitation to wear the movement, too.
The artwork captures the spirit of Root to Canopy — the connection between what we see above and the living systems below. The hands cradling the forest reflect our role as stewards, tending both the visible growth and the unseen foundations that sustain it. Beneath the surface, layers of soil host fungi, roots, and microorganisms that form the living web of regeneration. Each item honors our collective effort and supports the continued growth of our regional miniforest network.
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Contribute to the Northeast Miniforest Guide
We are continuing to welcome submissions for the FREE Northeast Miniforest Guide. If you know of—or are part of—a miniforest in the Northeast U.S., we’d love to hear from you and hope you’ll complete the data collection form below. The purpose of the guide is to to enhance knowledge sharing and increase visibility within the community.
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​​​​​Stay tuned as we are shaping the next steps ahead — this Summit marks the beginning of what’s ready to unfold and emerge naturally.
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Partners
Partners