Colin Davis and AJ Clarken. Pic courtesy Stuff NZ
Just as a seed can become a towering tree, Colin Davis hopes his tiny forest will grow a movement. On a 100 square metre triangle of sloping land on his property in the Enner Glynn hills, Davis is planting a microforest. Source: Stuff NZ
Each weekend, he and friend AJ Clarken, whose engineering know-how is driving the project, are joined by friends, neighbours, and volunteers from the Nelson Whakatu Muslim Association, of which both men are members.
Together, they’re preparing the ground, working to the principles of Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist whose microforest movement has spread out of Asia and into Europe.
Microforests are small, densely planted areas containing up to 30 species of native plants. They can absorb 30 times more carbon than conventional plantings and can be as small as 30sqm – the size of three car parking spaces: feasible for that fallow patch of land in your garden, or as a school project.
The forest got off the ground with funding from Nelson City Council’s Environmental Grants Scheme. Working to a low budget the two men have brainstormed ways to use waste materials and DIY skills to their advantage.
To condition the soil, Davis and Clarken have devised a way to make biochar, a charcoal-like substance made by burning organic material at high temperatures. As well as enriching the soil for years to come, biochar is carbon negative.
After planting in the autumn, the group will weed and water the area for about three years.
“Then we leave it to itself,” Davis said.As far as Davis is aware, the microforest is a New Zealand first.
Long involved in local green movements, Davis has felt frustrated about lack of climate change progress at a local and national level.
“We need transformation, but most councils aren’t ready for transformation. I wanted to do something myself to help mitigate climate change.”
But his greater motivation is to inspire others: schools, businesses or individuals looking for a way to act, as well as combat the feelings of helplessness many feel when confronted by climate change.
“I don’t want it to be a one-off; it’s a model for other people.”
While also concerned about climate change, Clarken’s motivation is biodiversity loss.
“I’m thinking about flora and fauna. The more plant life we take away from the cities, the more plants and animals die off.
“If we stop thinking that one person can’t make a difference and all do a little bit, it adds up to a lot.”
Davis welcomes enquiries via the Facebook page, Nelson Whakatu Microforest Initiative.
