Green Communities Canada (GCC) and the University of British Columbia (UBC) are excited to release a new report. The first of its kind, Seeds of Change: Cultivating Mini Forests Across Canada, investigates the rapid growth of the mini forest movement in Canada. The report shares lessons, challenges, and best practices to help municipalities, practitioners, and communities advance greener, healthier, and more resilient cities. The report also proposes ideas for the future development and study of mini forests.
Read the complete report:
Lire le rapport complet:
Why Mini Forests Matter
A mini forest — also known as a micro forest or tiny forest — is a community of native trees and shrubs planted tightly together in an urban or suburban site based on the Miyawaki method. The method emphasizes the use of dense plantings, diverse locally-native species collections, soil preparation, and multilayered design to mimic the complexity of a native forest. This dense planting technique results in taller plants in a shorter time period.
“Our findings reinforce that mini forests provide multiple benefits and are an alternative approach to green cities in the Canadian context. We also found several levers in terms of municipal policies and strategies,” says Professor Tahia Devisscher with the University of British Columbia’s Faculty of Forestry.
“Urban forest management is fragmented across Canada. Mini forests are multi-functional systems. They can be relevant to multiple policies at the same time.”
Prof. Devisscher is the lead author and principal investigator of the report. Co-authors of the report include Kylie Clark and Jennie Zhou (Research Assistants working with Prof. Devisscher), as well as Tianna Mighty and Emily Shimon from Green Communities Canada.
In less than ten years, mini forests have been transforming urban spaces across Canada. The country’s first mini forest was planted in Stratford, Ontario, in 2016. Since then, communities have embraced this innovative approach to restore degraded land, increase biodiversity, and build climate resilience.
Supported by Natural Resources Canada’s 2 Billion Trees Program, GCC launched the 2022 National Mini Forest Pilot, establishing 15 pilot sites across five provinces. These projects, and the insights gathered from them, form the foundation of this report.
Current estimates suggest that there are now over 75 mini forest projects across Canada, 45 of which are directly supported by Green Communities Canada and our Living Cities Canada Fund.
“The existing mini forests are the source of inspiration and fuel for this movement,” explains Prof. Devisscher. “Green Communities Canada has also been key to the growth of this movement by creating and sharing many excellent and freely available resources and empowering stories.”
Purpose of the Report
This report was designed for municipalities, practitioners, and decision-makers seeking to diversify tree planting strategies, engage residents, and advance equitable green infrastructure. By sharing evidence from 15 Canadian case studies, this report establishes a baseline for understanding the ecological and social benefits of mini forests. Seeds of Change also identifies current challenges and charts a path forward for scaling and mainstreaming mini forests.
Key Findings at a Glance
The report highlights both the promise and the practical realities of mini forest planting:
A Growing Movement
Across the country, municipalities are recognizing mini forests as a tool for climate risk management, biodiversity conservation, canopy expansion, and equity in green space access. The report identifies opportunities to embed mini forests into local planning and proposes strategies for scaling, including:
Looking Ahead
Seeds of Change is a testament and also a call to action. Canada’s mini forest movement has accelerated quickly in a short time. This movement also has a vital role to play as we address the climate crisis and build sustainable, inclusive communities. Mini forests are more than trees—they are living classrooms, climate solutions, and community hubs.
As the mini forest movement continues to grow, we invite municipalities, community groups, and citizens to imagine what’s possible when we plant not only trees, but also seeds of change.
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