Mini is Mighty!
The Mini Forests program supports local partner organizations and municipalities to transform under-natured sites into thriving urban forests. We use an innovative tree-planting method modelled after the Miyawaki forest technique.
What is a Mini Forest?
A mini forest — also known as a micro forest or tiny forest — is a community of native trees and shrubs planted closely together in an urban or suburban site based on the Miyawaki method. The method emphasizes the use of dense plantings: many different locally-native species are arranged in a tight multi-layered design that mimics the complexity of a native forest. With thoughtful soil preparation, this technique results in taller plants in a shorter time period.
Mini forests provide a variety of ecosystem services that offer both environmental and social benefits. From reducing air pollution to increasing biodiversity, and providing necessary habitat for wildlife, these small plots can have a big impacts on their local environments. They provide much-needed green spaces for people to enjoy, offering mental health benefits and improving air quality. Mini forests also help reduce runoff, prevent flooding and mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Adding a mini forest delivers big benefits
- Improved mental health benefits
- Rich habitat for wildlife
- Improved air quality
- Reduced heat island effect
- Prevent flooding
- Reduced storm water runoff
Growing Good News in Communities Across Canada
Mini Forests in Canada
Green Communities Canada has been working on green infrastructure like Mini Forests in various capacities for over 15 years.
In 2022 we partnered with the Network of Nature to launch the Mini Forests program as the National Mini Forest Pilot. The intention was to address the growing need for green spaces in urban environments.
We continue to support local partner organizations and municipalities through our Mini Forests program to transform under-natured sites into thriving urban forests.
Timeline for Mini Forests in Canada
Follow the growing movement
National Mini Forest Pilot
A forest by any other name…
Green Communities Canada has now planted over 45 mini forests in eight provinces. But the mini forests movement has grown beyond our organization. The City of Montreal announces their intention to plant 15 “micro forests.” EnviroCentre – a member of GCC – is planting “tiny forests” at multiple locations in Ottawa.
Growing the Mini Forest Movement
In January of 2025, Green Communities Canada hosts a Voices for Action webinar on “Growing the Mini Forest Movement in Canada.” This webinar features Green Communities Canada’s own Tianna Mighty (Program Coordinator, Green Infrastructure), as well as Professor Tahia Devisscher (Assistant Professor, UBC Faculty of Forestry), Kristen Bill (Project Manager, Forest Health, City of Hamilton), and Sharon MacGougan (President, Garden City Conservation Society).
Watch the webinar here
Cultivating Mini Forests Across Canada
In partnership with Professor Tahia Devisscher and the UBC Faculty of Forestry, Green Communities Canada releases a report studying the rapid proliferation of mini forests across Canada. The report assesses the growth and functionality of mini forests, providing a better understanding of their benefits, their risks, and the mechanisms that can support their successful implementation.
Read the report
Green Infrastructure Stories
We are growing good news in communities across Canada.
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Voices for Action – Rooting Out Loneliness
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Digging Deeper: What Mini Forest Soil Research Is Revealing
In 2025, Green Communities Canada began a partnership with Vineland Research and Innovation Centre. The goal was to learn more about the role soil health…
Continue ReadingGreen Infrastructure Resources
Green Communities Canada has developed useful resources to support a wide variety of community-based green infrastructure initiatives. From participator site planning and designing, to video guides, and free online courses – check it out!