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We make micro forests for you
Cooling and greening our community in a changing climate
In Australia, we are facing a hotter, drier climate under climate change. We are in a time of huge biodiversity loss. Life is changing and moving quickly. It's easy to feel at a loss as to what can be done.
Step in micro forests. Micro forests are a fantastic local, nature-based solution which can help turn things around. They may only be the size of a tennis court but they are ace at combatting climate change.
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Micro forests help cool the local environment, bring indigenous habitat back, create homes for birds, butterflies and skinks, retain water, and provide a green oasis for you to immerse and re-energise. And the best thing is you can install one right next to where you work, live or play.
About
Micro Forests
Micro forests are a concept developed in Japan in the 1970s by Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist and plant ecologist, concerned with biodiversity loss particularly in the urban environment. A micro forest is densely planted with a diverse range of indigenous species in a compact space about the size of a tennis court. Plants grow up to 10 times faster than a conventional forest and after an initial period of around two years the micro forest space becomes largely self-sustaining. Micro forests improve health and wellbeing, cool and remove pollutants from our air, retain water in our soils, and provide vital habitat for insects, birds and other wildlife in our city.
Meeting your goals & commitments
How can we help?
NatureMakers formed in 2023 in response to growing interest in micro forests and demand from companies seeking nature positive solutions. Through the installation of micro forests on private and public land, organisations can inset biodiversity onto their own properties, ensuring transparent delivery of biodiversity targets for corporate environmental reporting, while enabling staff to benefit from being part of a project that brings nature onto their work site. NatureMakers can provide environmental content for annual reporting on the value of increased biodiversity.
The environmental benefits of
micro forests
Cools and cleans the air
Water retention
Increase resilience to climate change effects
Increase pollinators
Micro forests cool the air temperature on hot days, providing a relief from nearby hard infrastructure which absorbs and retains heat. Forests help remove pollutants and particles from the air to create a healthier environment for everyone
Absorbs water into the soil and roots from the micro forest aerate the soil so water can penetrate deeper than grassy areas. Water is then available in the hotter, drier months to maintain a cooler, green envrionment
Micro forests have a variety of indigenous and native plants that are well suited to the local environment. Plant species selected can withstand higher temperatures and lower rainfall. A diverse range of species increases resilience to stressful climate events and disease and creates ecologically complex habitats within our city
Insects and small native bird populations are in huge decline, particularly in urban areas. Micro forests provide a food, shelter and nesting source for birds, butterflies, bees, insects and skinks, helping to regenerate nature
Resources & links
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Victorian Biodiversity
Plan 2037
Biodiversity 2037 presents a long-term vision for Victoria’s biodiversity supported by two overarching goals:
- Victorians value nature
- Victoria's natural environment is healthy
The long-term health of Victoria’s natural environment relies not only on a clear future vision, but on financial resources and a collective effort across society
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Australia State of the Environment report 2021
Every 5 years, the National SoE reports provide information about environmental and heritage conditions, trends and pressures.
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Under the biodiversity assessment, habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation continue to be the biggest threats to loss of biodiversity
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Australia has signed onto a global agreement to protect 30 per cent of the world’s land and 30 per cent of the world’s oceans by 2030.
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One of the targets requires large and transnational companies and financial institutions to monitor, assess, and transparently disclose their risks, dependencies and impacts on biodiversity through their operations, supply and value chains and portfolios
Meet your team
Anna Mezzetti
Director
Daniel Berry
Director
With 28 years experience in sustainability, outdoor and environmental education and championing biodiversity, Anna’s mission is to support organisations to become nature positive. Understanding that our environment is in severe decline, Anna has dedicated her working and personal life to restoring habitats and supporting others to do the same. She has extensive experience in the installation of natural spaces throughout the urban environment, such as bush kinder spaces, micro forests, nature strip planting and residential and corporate habitat gardens. She does not waste time when at home either, regenerating the family farm at Phillip Island with indigenous species, which extend down to the waters edge with mangrove restoration.
Daniel is professionally and personally committed to a sustainable future with 22 years experience delivering sustainability initiatives and education, evidence based behavior change programs and renewable energy projects to enhance communities and the environment. Understanding that human created climate change requires a human driven solution; Daniel compliments his technology based solutions with nature based behavior change and education aimed to strengthen the connections between people and environment. A background in science based testing and data analysis, provides evidence based data of the biodiversity, climate and environmental benefits of micro forests.