Ayer Devens | Pocket Forests
About Pocket Forests
Pocket Forests are a densely planted area about the size of a tennis court (~2,800 sq.ft.) that provides a biodiverse array of soils and plants that support accelerated forest development to maximize benefits per square foot of land.
Pocket Forest Benefits
Pocket forests are one of many nature-based solutions! Benefits include:
Wildlife: The denseness of growth provides a greater amount of forage for pollinators and refuge for birds. More canopy cover shades out weeds and creates a cool home for insects, plus the increased leaf litter builds fertility and life in the soil.
Health: Pocket forests are a tool to help reconnect people with nature, which has many physical and mental health benefits.
Pocket forests are one of many nature-based solutions identified in the 2021 Apple Country Natural Climate Solutions project.
The “Miyawaki” method is a method of constructing pocket forests. This site provides a great overview of this method and many of the reasons why Devens and Ayer are partnering to building more Pocket Forests in our communities: https://www.sugiproject.com/blog/the-miyawaki-method-for-creating-forests
Our friends in Cambridge are building a pocket forest using the Miyawaki method - check it out: https://bio4climate.org/miyawaki-forest/
Earthwatch Europe shares great info about pocket forests here:
https://earthwatch.org.uk/get-involved/tiny-forest
5 Media Foundation reports on tiny forests in India, Iran, and Singapore
https://fivemedia.com/articles/the-tiny-forests-regreening-our-cities/