Tree group attends urban forest symposium in Japan
Grow Urban Shade Trees group has been represented at a four-day International Urban Forest Symposium held at Yokohama National University in Japan this month.
Group member Ms Jen Wilder said she was thrilled to attend the event organised as part of the UN's G20 Global Land Initiative and the Marino Project.
She said 100 people attended from 27 countries.
"While the focus of the symposium was largely on the Miyawaki method (a fast method of growing, condensed, deep-rooting, heavy-shading, indigenous mini-forests), the broader theme was to innovate with urban forests to improve health, liveability and biodiversity outcomes and remedy a growing disconnection from nature," she said.
"In the face of a heating climate, many attendees have found hope in acting locally in their own countries and many have now gained global recognition as their work grows to include numerous projects with considerable backing from the private and public sector.
"The symposium included two packed days of presentations from academics, technical experts and game-changing personalities from all over the world.
"This was followed by two days of amazing field trips and tree planting with local schools, led by Professor Kazue Fujiwara who was a close colleague of renowned ecologist Professor Akira Miyawaki (1928-2021), along with Silva, a non-profit group in Yokohama undertaking land restoration.
"Many ideas were shared but the key points highlighted the importance of acting fast and locally for global change.
"Involving schools in greening projects is paramount so young people gain a greater connection to nature and learn of its inherent power as essential, high performance infrastructure in urban planning.
"There's much we can all do to improve our urban environments, even in the smallest action."
Ms Wilder suggested: "Write to our decision makers, if you are tired of hot barren suburbs.
"Chat to your kids about trees and about all the many creatures who seek to live peacefully in our parks and gardens no matter how small the creature, or how small the park or garden.
"If you have an interest in Miyawaki forests, do you have time to coordinate planting one on the Peninsula?
"Let's work together and make it happen."
More information about the Morino project can be found online at http://penne.ws/nTxabY.
SOURCE:
Social media, 30 Oct 2024
Jen Wilder, Grow Urban Shade Trees