Tiny forests + in Bangkok!

The challenge and a solution

Let's bring tiny forests into Bangkok city, across neighborhoods and near schools! Tiny forests will address the nature deficit problem of city living, lower ground temperature due to climate change, filtering PM2.5 and pollutions. This will restore natural habitats within the city, creating natural corridors for wildlife such as birds, worms, butterflies, bees, squirrel, dragonflies, etc. Fostering more biodiversity as well as nature learning spaces for children, youth and Bangkokians. The project will also implement natural drainage system to increase the neighborhood's capacity to withstand heavy rain storms.

Our tiny forest method starts with the planting of 500 local species trees accordingly to the framework species method (developed by Forest Restoration Unit at Chiangmai University). Base on the research, it is founded that this amount of trees and its diverse species are needed for the effective establishment of forest restoration in Thailand. It includes both pioneer species that quickly grow to cover the whole area and climax species that has long lifespan. Local species are resilience and provide food and support for wildlife, attract seeds distributing animals into the area. Within 3 years, local trees will be taller than most adults, providing shades as well as lower the cost for grass trimming as the canopies become fully covered. 

The first pilot of the tiny forest and the natural drainage system will be in Huaykwang sub-district, under the express way crossover between Rama 9 and Praditmanutham roads. The area was analyzed as critical in growing green cover, lower the ground temperature as well as filtering PM2.5 pollution in the area.

The tiny forest initiatives have become a global movement with many countries such as in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, India, Japan, China and Singapore. As it provides effective green space in the city as well as nature education and activities for local school. Therefore, it expands citizen scientists trend that brings children and youth to have meaningful and hand-on connection with nature even though they are growing up in the city.  

The project will also implement natural drainage system within the park area with a tiny forest. This means adjust the area to enhance its ability to take more rain storms via nature restoration, thus, reducing the risk of flood. Once the pilot becomes successful, it will expand to be implemented in more parks within the "15 minutes parks" policy of the current city administration. 

Partners

The tiny forests+ project was initiated by Urban2Nature Network (RefieldLab , NextForest, ChangeFusion, Taejai) , WePark , Mor and farmer in partnership with the Bangkok city in selecting and supporting area development accordingly to the 15 minutes park and one million trees policies. It hopes to create collaborative space to restore nature in urban setting as well as addressing both climate and biodiversity crises, using Nature-based Solutions approach.