Wee Forests: Part of the TinyForest Global Family

NatureScot

NatureScot is Scotland's nature agency. We work to enhance our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it. Our priority is a nature-rich future for Scotland and an effective response to the climate emergency. For more information, visit our Climate Change web page.

’S e NatureScot buidheann nàdair na h-Alba. Bidh sinn a’ neartachadh àrainneachd na h-Alba agus a’ brosnachadh dhaoine gu barrachd suim a chur ann an nàdar. Tha e mar phrìomhachas againn gum bi nàdar na h-Alba beairteach agus gun dèilig sinn gu h-èifeachdach le èiginn na gnàth-shìde. Tha an tuilleadh fiosrachaidh aig www.nature.scot.

NatureScot is working with Earthwatch Europe and accredited Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners to deliver the Scottish Wee Forests Programme, part of the global Tiny Forest family.

Earthwatch Europe

Earthwatch Europe is an environmental charity with science at its heart. We drive the change needed to live within our means and in balance with nature. We do this by connecting people with the natural world, monitoring the health of our natural resources and informing the actions that will have the greatest positive impact.

Earthwatch is pioneering Tiny Forests in the UK. To find out where Wee and Tiny Forests are, see the current map.

Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners

As part of the NatureScot Wee Forest Demonstration Project, nine Scottish organisations were trained in the Wee Forest method and are now accredited Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners. They can work with communities to follow the Wee Forest method to a consistent international standard.  

The Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners are:

• Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust
• Green Action Trust
• The Conservation Volunteers in Scotland
• University of Dundee Botanic Garden
• Aberdeen City Council - Environment Team and Countryside Rangers
• East Ayrshire Woodlands c/o East Ayrshire Council
• Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust
• Fife Coast and Countryside Trust
• Borders Forest Trust 

A Wee Forest is a small, dense and fast-growing native woodland, typically the size of a tennis court. They are ideal for urban spaces, creating an oasis for plants, insects, birds and small mammals, and supporting the wellbeing of people too. Wee Forest is the name for Tiny Forest in Scotland and are part of the global Tiny Forest family.

Wee Forests are inspiring spaces for outdoor learning and a social point for local people who plant and maintain them. Wee Forests are scientifically monitored by community volunteers and schools to better understand the benefits of nature in our urban areas.

Wee Forests are prepared and planted using a very specific method developed by a Japanese botanist, Dr Akira Miyawaki, in the 1970s. The Miyawaki method encourages accelerated forest development in an urban setting.

Why do we need Wee Forests?

As a result of the twin crises of nature loss and climate change, issues such as flooding, heat stress and loss of biodiversity increasingly affect urban areas. People area also losing their connection to nature, particularly in towns and cities. Creating liveable and climate-resilient places that support good health and wellbeing is a considerable challenge in a changing climate.

Wee Forests can play their part in facing this challenge. They bring the benefits of a forest – reconnecting people with nature and raising awareness and helping to mitigate the impacts of climate change. They provide quick-growing, high-impact, nature-rich habitat patches to support urban wildlife – right into the heart of our towns and cities, which is where 84% of Scotland’s population lives.

What are the key elements of a Wee Forest?

What makes a Wee Forest a Wee Forest is that it has:

• 600 native trees and shrubs planted densely in a tennis-court sized plot, maximising benefits per m² of land
• Miyawaki planting method which encourages accelerated forest development and uses no chemicals or fertilisers
• Low management and maintenance requirements after the first two years
• Rich biodiversity, capable of attracting over 500 animal and plant species within the first three years (see research from the Netherlands)
• A nature-rich accessible green space and outdoor classroom for people to reconnect with nature
• Monitoring data gathered by citizen scientists in the long-term to help understand how Wee Forests develop and to quantify the climate benefits.

How many Wee Forests are there?

A map, and profiles of all the Wee Forests and Tiny Forests planted to date, can be found on the Earthwatch interactive map.

Environmental

Trees are known to have a huge range of environmental benefits but the specific impact that Wee Forests can have in urban areas needs further research.

Earthwatch Europe and partners are collecting data to support research into four environmental topics:

• Carbon capture – at what rate do Wee Forests take up atmospheric CO² and store it in their tree tissues?
• Flood alleviation – how does creating a Wee Forest affect how the landscape can retain and absorb water?
• Thermal comfort – do Wee Forests create a microclimate and do people feel more comfortable in and around Wee Forests?
• Biodiversity – what impact does a Wee Forest have on the number and variety of invertebrates in the area?

These questions are studied through collecting citizen science data on Wee Forests as they grow. You can find out more about Wee and Tiny Forest research from Earthwatch's research webpage.

Education

A Wee Forest can provide a valuable outdoor play and learning resource for urban education settings. Wee Forests can be planted within education setting grounds where appropriate, or within easy walking distance for the school cluster. They provide a good fit with Scotland’s Learning for Sustainability Action Plan ‘Target 2030’. The creation and use of Wee Forests in or nearby schools supports the vision and 4 ‘c’s of Target 2030 – curriculum, campus, community, culture. The ambition is to have at least one Wee Forest for every Scottish urban school cluster. 

Wee Forests provide a real-world learning environment, and can help foster connection to nature, as well as to the wider school community. Through regular and frequent outdoor learning, Wee Forests can support numeracy, literacy, health and wellbeing as well as interdisciplinary learning. Forest establishment provides a graphic illustration of biological principles and these can be tracked by pupils through their school learning journey from primary through to secondary stages. Monitoring these changes supports STEM subjects, communications, project management, scientific data collection and so on. 

Educators and volunteer leaders can access a range of educational resources to help make the most of their local Wee Forest. NatureScot can provide information about how to link Wee Forests to the Curriculum for Excellence and Learning for Sustainability. Explore NatureScot’s Young People - Learning Outdoors and Developing Skills web pages for further education resources.

Community

Wee Forests can connect people with nature in their local area and support general wellbeing. They are a place to relax, watch wildlife and are an educational resource.

Each Wee Forest is expected to engage:

• Up to 100 volunteers on Planting and Science Days
• 4-6 volunteer Tree Keepers who help care for their forest
• The wider community, visitors and school children as an inspiring place to enjoy nature.

Through planting and science days, social surveys are being conducted to assess the social impact of Wee Forests. You can find out more about Wee and Tiny Forest social research from Earthwatch's research webpage.

Health and Wellbeing

Connection with nature and access to high quality diverse green space have well- documented benefits to health and wellbeing. Getting involved in creating and looking after a Wee Forest instils a sense of ownership and stewardship. The forest provides a place where people can connect with nature and with each other.

Green Skills and Training

Creating, maintaining and monitoring Wee Forests provides opportunities for training and skills development, either informally through accessing the Tiny Forest Tree Keeper programme, or through using the Wee Forest within a formal programme such as Modern Apprenticeships in Trees and Timber. NatureScot and Earthwatch are building links with research institutions and training organisations to maximise their potential to support learning and development.

Participating in a Wee Forest can help develop skills including:

• Project planning and development - helping to get a Wee Forest started
• Practical skills - tree planting and organising a planting event
• Community engagement and capacity building - recruiting and supporting a local network of volunteers to help look after the Wee Forest
• Citizen Science and research skills - through participating in ongoing monitoring
• Nature-based jobs and skills
• Nature-based awards

As a public or private landowner

If you or your organisation/authority owns land which might be suitable and/or you would like to invest in a Wee Forest, then NatureScot, a Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner or Earthwatch would love to hear from you. Not every site will be suitable – as well as needing 200m² to plant the Wee Forest, the site also needs to be accessible, free from over-or-underground utilities and services, not within any ecologically sensitive areas, and the landowner must be able to commit to retaining woodland on the site, with some public access, for a minimum of 10 years.

If you manage a public park or greenspace, a Wee Forest is an opportunity to diversify your park’s estate, helping to achieve climate and biodiversity goals without increasing maintenance costs.

As a community member

Visit Earthwatch’s Tiny Forest Portal to find out if there are any Wee Forests near you. This should also have information on any upcoming events at that Wee Forest, such as Science Days, where you can meet other enthusiasts, help monitor wildlife and collect data. 

You can sign up to become a volunteer Tree Keeper by contacting  the Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner for a Wee Forest near you or [email protected]. Tree Keepers get free training from Earthwatch to help look after their Wee Forest, carry out scientific monitoring, and promote and celebrate their Wee Forest within their community.

If there isn’t a Wee Forest near you, then consider approaching a Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner to see if there is scope for creating a Wee Forest in your community. 

As an educator

Wee Forests offer fantastic opportunities for outdoor play and real-world learning, whether through formal or informal education. As part of the Wee Forest programme, NatureScot with Earthwatch have developed teacher resources for the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. Earthwatch also offers free webinars for educators, supporting them to make the most of their Wee Forests.

Visit the Tiny Forest Education Page to find out more or search for ‘Wee Forest’ on the Outdoor Learning Directory.

As a business

Businesses can get involved with Wee Forests in many ways. Landowners can host a Wee Forest. Wee Forests offer great opportunities for business sponsorship, to give something back to the communities where you operate. Business employees can also become Tree Keepers for their local Wee Forest or take part in a Science Day gathering and sharing data, providing opportunities for corporate social responsibility, and staff team building.

For enquiries about business involvement, contact [email protected]

As a potential Local Delivery Partner

If you are a community-focused environmental organisation working in Scotland, and you think that there is an opportunity to help deliver Wee Forests in your area, please contact [email protected] for further information.

Media

If you have an enquiry about Wee Forests contact NatureScot at [email protected].

Wee Forest creation using the formal, specific Miyawaki method differs from traditional forestry techniques, typically involving much more preliminary investigation and ground preparation than conventional approaches to tree planting; and planting all the forest layers at the same time at higher densities from an approved list of Scottish native species. Miyawaki identified this approach to promote rapid growth, and to establish a mature, more diverse forest tree population much more quickly than conventional planting methods. There is a bigger impact in a shorter timescale.

An accredited Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner can help with this process, or if there isn’t one available you can contact Earthwatch directly. These are the steps: 

Site investigation

Before deciding if a site is suitable for a Wee Forest, look at its size, the presence of services or utilities infrastructure, previous uses of the site and if it is within any sensitive or protected areas.  Investigate the soil to assess its suitability for different tree species.

You will also need written permission from the landowner and an agreement to keep the site as a Wee Forest for a minimum ten-year period. Take advice about what should be in the agreement.

Selecting tree species

Once the soil conditions are understood, identify a local “Reference Forest”. This is typically a semi-natural ancient woodland near the Wee Forest site. Cross-reference the soil information and the reference forest to devise a species list that is suited to the conditions and reflects historic local native species.

A Wee Forest will usually include around 16 or more different native species that would typically occur in the different layers of a semi-natural woodland. These are the canopy layer, sub-canopy layer, understorey and shrub layer. By using species from all forest layers and planting them in a pattern which avoids multiple individuals from the same species being planted next to each other, a good vertical structure is ensured within the Wee Forest, avoiding trees competing with each other for light and nutrients.

100 of the 600 trees are tagged and will be the focus for carbon capture monitoring.

Designing the Wee Forest

Although the “tennis court” example is used to help people visualise the size of the Wee Forest, this does not mean that it has to be a single rectangular block of trees. Wee Forests can be designed to fit nearly any space, as long as they have the required 200m² of planted area and are over 4m in width for most of their size. Wee Forests can include footpaths, open areas, seating, outdoor classrooms and artworks, depending on the space in which they are located and the objectives agreed with the local community. Because of the density of planting, the Wee Forest grows through a thicket stage when all the trees crowd together. This makes it difficult if you have designed a path to go through the middle of the Wee Forest. You also need to think about seating within the Wee Forest as this might attract anti-social behaviour. The Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners are well aware of the design issues and will work with the local community to get the best design for the area. 

Preparing the soil

The Wee Forest site is prepared for planting by excavating up to 1 metre in depth of the existing soil. This reduces soil compaction allowing young roots to spread and establish rapidly. The existing soil is mixed with natural supplements (typically chopped straw, compost or green manure) to improve soil texture and nutrient levels before being returned in place. This gives the optimum conditions for young saplings to grow and thrive.

Planting a Wee Forest

Planted ideally between November and March, usually all 600 trees are planted in a single day with as much involvement of local people as possible. Local residents, schools, community organisations and conservation groups can all take part in the Planting Day. This can help to provide a sense of ownership of the Wee Forest and help to recruit Tree Keepers to look after the Wee Forest in the longer term.

The saplings are planted as “whips” - typically up to 80cm in height, planted either bare-rooted or with small “cells” of soil around their roots. This is an ideal stage for planting trees as it allows them to establish a strong root system before their canopy grows to the point where they are exposed to wind or water stresses.

Finishing the Wee Forest

With the saplings planted, the Wee Forest is finished with:

• Biodiversity tiles - six paving slabs distributed within the Wee Forest which are used as part of the biodiversity monitoring. These are located flat against the soil surface and embedded within the mulch layer.
• A layer of mulch across the whole planted area - this helps to retain moisture within the soil and suppresses weed growth. A partially composted wood chip mulch is usually specified but other options are available. Straw is not recommended in Scotland as unfortunately there have been cases of arson with this more flammable material.  It is also more likely to blow away.
• A fence around the Wee Forest - this is often intended as a temporary to guard the saplings against accidental trampling or damage (such as grass mowing) during their first 2-3 years of establishment. Chestnut paling or stock fencing is normal but there may be a need to be rabbit or deer-proof fencing to avoid grazing of the young trees.
• A gate – to enable access to the fenced area.
• Seating or outdoor classroom area - this is often surfaced in amenity bark chip to reduce maintenance but can be left to grass. If benches are included, they would normally be of a “forest school” specification, designed to promote use as an outdoor education space. It is important to design a seating or classroom space with clear sightlines for comfortable use by people and to avoid anti-social behaviour, as the middle of the Wee Forest will get very dense as it grows.
• An interpretation panel - this provides visitors with basic information about the Wee Forest, who was involved in creating it, links for further information, how to get involved as a Tree Keeper and how to report any damage.

What about accessibility in my Wee Forest?

It’s important that the design of a Wee Forest does not unintentionally prevent some people from enjoying it. Consider the location of the Wee Forest, who might want to use it and how they will access it. In some cases, especially where older people or those with limited mobility are likely to use the Wee Forest, you may consider installing a more uniform surface for the trodden areas of the forest or provide seating with arm and back rests. Large areas of hard standing will not usually be in character with this semi-natural woodland.

Tree and shrub species with prickles and thorns (e.g. blackthorn, gorse, hawthorn) are a valuable component of semi-natural native woodlands and should be included as part of the Wee Forest planting plan. However, the location of those particular species should be considered carefully in relation to likely access routes and desire lines through and around the forest as it matures.

What about potential for anti-social behaviour in my Wee Forest?

If you are developing a Wee Forest in a place where you anticipate anti-social behaviour, it is recommended to consult with your local community safety team or police service as part of the project process.

The careful design and siting of a Wee Forest helps to avoid or mitigate the impact of these behaviours. Are you providing benches in an area where there is no existing seating and might this encourage people to gather there? Are any open areas well overlooked by local houses or a busy road? Can a visitor to the Wee Forest see into the space, and if there is a footpath within the forest, can a visitor see clearly through to the exit? Wee Forests go through a phase of being a dense thicket with poor sightlines so may not be the most appropriate type of tree planting method for some urban areas. As the Wee Forest matures, the sightlines become clearer.

Can a Wee Forest be in a school ground?

Yes – some of NatureScot’s pilot Wee Forests are in school grounds and are a fantastic educational resource for the school. Although this sometimes means that the wider public can’t access the Wee Forest easily, this can be mitigated by involving the wider school community, e.g. parents, staff, carers and grandparents. Some schools recruited members of the school community as Tree Keepers and set up activity days where parents as well as staff and pupils can join in with looking after and monitoring their Wee Forest.

What about spiky/thorny species?

Some thorny or prickly tree species might be perceived to pose a small injury risk. However, these species are a vital part of the ecological function of the Wee Forest providing shelter and food for small mammals and birds and should be included in the species mix. If injury is a concern, plant prickly species away from any seating or pathways.

The site I am looking at is brownfield. Is this a problem?

Brownfield land has a history of development, often associated with industrial uses. If this is the case, a thorough site investigation is recommended prior to developing a Wee Forest, to understand what hazards and liabilities are present. The landowner will always retain liability for any contamination or site-based hazards and if specific issues are raised through site investigation, it is advised that they be referenced specifically in any land agreement.

If there is a problem with large quantities of rubble or other solid material, you can import clean topsoil to the site, but this will cost more and has a higher carbon impact.

The site has Invasive or Non-Native Species (INNS) on or near it. Is this a problem?

Invasive Non-Native Species in urban areas community include Giant Hogweed, Japanese Knotweed, Himalayan Balsam and Rhododendron. 

In Scotland, it is an offence to plant, or otherwise cause to grow, a plant in the wild at a location outside its native range. The Code of Practice on Non-Native Species explains the relevant Scottish legislation and sets out a framework of responsibilities for bodies with powers relating to non-native species. If there are Invasive Non-Native Species (INNS) in or near the Wee Forest site and your activities could risk causing that species to spread, then do not proceed. A Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner can provide advice on any INNS which may be present and can advise on appropriate control measures.

Japanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is particularly problematic around Wee Forest locations, as this plant propagates through its root system. The soil preparation process involved in creating a Wee Forest has the potential to disturb these roots and unwittingly propagate the plant. It is best not to plan a Wee Forest on a site with a history of Japanese Knotweed.

Local residents are concerned the Wee Forest will overshadow their houses – what should I do?

The location of a Wee Forest is a key consideration. While the trees within a Wee Forest will not grow to the size that they would if they were individual specimens, the canopy layer will still achieve a significant height, and if poorly located this could cause problems for neighbours. It is always advisable to leave a clearance of at least 15m between a Wee Forest boundary and any adjacent properties and if planning a Wee Forest near houses, consultation with those residents most immediately impacted by the proposals is essential, also to avoid any misconceptions It is important to make the benefits of wee forests clear – most people enjoy a view of trees from their windows, and the associated benefits for their health and the value of the property (if it is a private home owner) or place.

Do I need to involve a Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner or can my community group just have a go ourselves?

NatureScot and Earthwatch have trained a Scotland-wide network of Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners, and these organisations are available as a support resource for Wee Forests. Local Delivery Partners have direct experience of delivering Wee Forests including experience of all the technical processes that are involved and use of the Earthwatch data platform for uploading long-term citizen science data to monitor the Wee Forest.

It is strongly advised to connect with a Local Delivery Partner if thinking about a Wee Forest. Once a plan is in place which delivers the essential criteria to make it a Wee Forest with the Miyawaki method and long term citizen science (and not just small scale tree planting), then local groups and organisations are welcome to use their own resources to deliver this. In such situations, the group should also contact Earthwatch about accessing the data platform and there will be a cost for this.  NatureScot would also like to hear about any Wee Forests planted in Scotland, so we are aware of their spread geographically, and can learn how they are being used and supported.   

Are there examples of templates that I can use, eg: landowner agreement?

As a minimum, an agreement needs to set out the rights and responsibilities (and liabilities) between parties, for how long, and if there is payment involved. Agreements can be simple or complex but to make sure that you understand what you are committing to or want the landowner to do, please seek advice from your Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner. 

Do I need to insure a Wee Forest?

Any publicly accessible site needs to be covered by some insurance to protect the owner against potential consequences. This is the responsibility of the landowner. As part of the development of any Wee Forest, it is recommended that the landowner check their insurance cover, and if necessary, consult with their insurers to assess any impact that the creation of a Wee Forest will have on their level of cover. Compliance with Health and Safety Executive requirements is essential, eg: Safety of trees on school premises or playing fields (Jan, 2022). 

What happens if my Wee Forest gets damaged?

Wee Forests will occasionally suffer from accidental damage or vandalism. Good planning, consultation and community engagement can reduce the likelihood of this happening. If damage occurs, it is recommended that this be rectified as soon as possible. A site that looks neglected or in disrepair will often attract further unwanted behaviour resulting in a downward spiral. Ideally, this will involve repair or replacement of a damaged feature or trees, but if a budget is not available, it is often better to remove a feature than to leave a damaged one in place. Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners can advise on specific cases.

Do all the trees and shrubs have to be native to Scotland?

Yes - all tree species in a Wee Forest must be Scottish native species and relevant to the local area, both to qualify as a Wee Forest, as well as to establish well and produce the anticipated benefits for wildlife. Contact the NatureScot Wee Forest team for a list of appropriate Scottish lowland tree and shrub species.

How much does a Wee Forest cost?

Because of the high preparation costs of the specific Myawaki planting method and the amount of staff time needed to ensure community and school engagement for citizen science in the long term, a Wee Forest delivered by a Local Delivery Partner will cost more than conventional tree planting. Speak to your local accredited Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner for an estimate of up-to-date prices. 

Costs might be reduced through in-kind contributions of materials or partnering with organisations that can provide elements of a Wee Forest, e.g. Trees and Timber Modern Apprenticeship training providers. Remember that after planting the Wee Forest, maintenance is pretty limited as the idea is to let it grow naturally but please think about long-term maintenance and supporting the citizen science commitment to them. A Wee Forest that is created then neglected can become a blight in a neighbourhood.

Where can I get funding to support this work?

Successful projects will usually involve a number of different partners coming together to support the cost of creating the Wee Forest and engaging the community in outdoor learning and citizen science activities in the longer term.

Grant and other funding sources change regularly, so speak to a Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner and Earthwatch about current Scottish options. Sources of potential funding include:  

• Businesses - Earthwatch has been successful in securing significant sums of corporate sponsorship to support Tiny Forest delivery across the UK. Major businesses which operate in the area where a Wee Forest is planned may be prepared to support the work as part of their own sustainability or corporate social responsibility strategies. Businesses can be valuable local partners, supporting planting and aftercare of a Wee Forest with their employees and for in-kind contributions.
• Housing providers - Organisations which build or manage housing can support the creation of Wee Forests, as they enhance the housing area or with in-kind contributions of materials. Whether through helping to address the environmental impact of a new housing development, or through improving satisfaction in an area of existing social housing, these organisations can often be valuable partners in a Wee Forest project.
• Local grants and funds - Many smaller charitable trusts and grant giving bodies invest in specific areas and this provides an opportunity for a local group or a Wee Forest Local Delivery Partner to access funding.
• Local public sector - Public sector budgets are under pressure, but some give grants for Wee Forests as they help local biodiversity, climate or social priorities.

Managing the trees

Wee Forests are designed to minimise maintenance. By mulching the planted areas and with the saplings rapidly establishing, only weeding is needed in the first 2-3 growing seasons and very occasional watering in times of extreme heat stress. The Wee Forest left alone to allow the densely planted trees to grow rapidly for maximum environmental impact.  The message is – leave it alone to grow and thrive!

General maintenance

General maintenance includes litter picking and keeping the fence and path edges tidy and obstruction free. The Wee Forest should be included in the wider management plan for the site. Volunteer involvement can help deliver this routine maintenance, with Tree Keepers leading activity days for litter picking and general tidying.

Tree Keepers

To provide volunteering and personal development opportunities, the Local Delivery Partner will recruit a core team of 4-5 local volunteers to be Tree Keepers. They will be ambassadors for the Wee Forest and take ownership of their forest and its development. Tree Keepers are encouraged to maintain the forest for its first few growing seasons. This includes weeding, litter picking, and checking the saplings and mulch layer - about 1 hour per week, varying from season to season. Earthwatch provides a full induction and training programme for Tree Keepers plus some basic Tree Keeper kits to help the volunteering roles. They also have a platform for Tree Keepers to share experience and keep them connected as part of a wider network.

Sustaining Community Engagement

Tree Keepers and the Local Delivery Partners can support ongoing community involvement. Earthwatch provides a regular annual programme for Tree Keepers, including events and activities, seasonal citizen science monitoring activities and national “calls to action” such as Earthwatch’s Biodiversity Week in which Wee and Tiny Forests across the UK come together to take collective action across the Wee Forest community.

Tree Keepers are provided with training in reaching out to their local communities, establishing a local social media presence and engaging with service providers in the area, to provide a strong and inclusive local network.

School involvement

Schools are an essential part of Wee Forests, enabling local young people to grow up with their Wee Forest. Earthwatch has developed resources for schools including links with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence. Earthwatch’s education team offer regular webinars to educators on the education potential of Wee Forests which are open to all Wee Forest participants connected with schools.

All Wee Forest citizen science techniques have been designed by Earthwatch’s experienced citizen science practitioners and are accessible to a range of audiences and abilities via the Earthwatch website. The equipment needed varies between the different monitoring processes with some being simple and some requiring more complex equipment. The accredited Wee Forest Local Delivery Partners should have all the relevant equipment and be familiar with the citizen science techniques and data being collected.

The Tiny Forest Portal enables participants to record data directly to Earthwatch’s database using a mobile phone or tablet with internet connection. The data being collected is:

• Biodiversity – 1) timed surveys of butterflies and other pollinating insects within and around the Wee Forest; and 2) surveys of ground-dwelling invertebrates under the biodiversity tiles. Downloadable field guides support identification of species along with a watch or mobile phone to time the survey. Suitable for individual or group activity, these surveys can be carried out at any time during the growing season while insects are active.
• Carbon Capture - this is measured using a tape measure and a set of callipers to record the growth rate of 100 trees within the Wee Forest which were tagged with metal discs or tapes when planted.  An ideal group task, this will typically involve surveying all 100 trees at the end of the growing season, usually around September.
• Flood Management - this is measured using a penetrometer to calculate the compaction of the soil surface at points within and outside the Wee Forest and apparatus which calculates the rate at which water is absorbed into the soil.
• Thermal Comfort - the most advanced monitoring technique, an electronic weather station measures temperature and other environmental conditions within, outside and hear the Wee Forest. People can also record their perceptions of the climate in and around the Wee Forest to compare to the direct measurements.

Because of some of the more complex equipment requirements, some of these surveys will normally be delivered as part of a Science Day, supported by Earthwatch or a Local Delivery Partner. Earthwatch are seeking to develop a supply of this testing equipment for use by local Tree Keepers.

Wee and Tiny Forest Special Celebrations

Science Days or Discovery Days are dedicated events where staff from Earthwatch or a Local Delivery Partner join local Tree Keepers and other community members and demonstrate all the monitoring techniques. These are advertised in advance and are an excellent opportunity for ongoing community engagement with the Wee Forest, as well as collecting vital data.

Earthwatch also runs various Tiny and Wee Forest campaigns, e.g. Tiny Forest Tree Survey. Check the Earthwatch Tiny Forest website for the latest information. 

There are all sorts of other uses of Wee Forests – for art projects, play, afternoon tea. Tell us about how you use your Wee Forest.