Nestled near the Nova SBE campus, close to Quinta de São Gonçalo, this Japanese technique, crafted by botanist Akira Miyawaki in the swinging '70s and crowned with a Blue Planet Prize in 2006 (the eco Nobel), aims to cool things down, spruce up the air, and throw a biodiversity bash.
The goal? Tackling urban climate change head-on while simultaneously creating a buzzing natural haven for insects, pollinators, birds, and pint-sized mammals.
Funded by the AdaptCascais Fund of the City Council, a Forest Impact initiative got down and dirty with 80 volunteers, planting 600 plants of 32 different species across approximately 200 square meters. "Among the stars of the show are holm oaks, cork oaks, oaks, strawberry trees, wild pear, and wild olive, following the Miyawaki model that mimics nature with a cozy three plants per square meter," reads a statement from the Union of Parishes of Carcavelos and Paredes.
Getting this green party started meant prepping the soil a metre deep with manure and other organic goodies, topped off with a snazzy straw cover. According to the council's vice president, Miguel Pinto Luz (who dropped the news on Facebook), the chosen trees were picked for their ability to adapt to the local climate, soil conditions, and knack for providing environmental services like carbon capture and trapping dust, particles, and water. "This mini-forest stands strong against climate change, promoting a 'sponge space' for heavy rains, creating a nifty cooling pocket, and championing biodiversity."
Established in 2021 at Casa do Impacto by pros trained under the Miyawaki Forest movement guru, Shubhendu Sharma, Forest Impact is a Portuguese startup dedicated to championing the Japanese method in the country. Chosen by the cities of Évora and Vila Viçosa, in partnership with the Além Risco project, they're set to plant a whopping 700 square meters of Miyawaki forests.