According to a statement from the Portuguese Miniforest Network, the new network is made up of six organizations dedicated to environmental and urban regeneration, through the planting of Miyawaki miniforests, only with native species.

“Miniforests, based on the Japanese Miyawaki method, are dense native forests that develop quickly and provide benefits such as improving air quality, carbon capture, reducing urban heat, water regulation and creating natural habitats for fauna and flora local areas”.

The initiative is “aimed at urban and rural communities, educational institutions and local government entities, which aim to transform their green spaces and improve the quality of life of their citizens”, says the Network, highlighting that “in these projects participation in community activity is encouraged in order to create lasting social and environmental impact.”

“By transforming degraded urban spaces into self-sustainable ecosystems, the initiative seeks to involve local communities, promote well-being and a sense of belonging”, says the note from the Network of Miniforests of Portugal, formed by the environmental organisations Biggest Mini Forest, Floresta Nativa /Nativawaky, Impacto Florestal, Ilhas de Biodiversidade, 2adapt and URBEM.

The founder of Floresta Nativa/Nativawak, Sónia Soares, cited in the statement from the Network of Miniforests of Portugal, states that the work of environmental organisations has already had a great local impact and argues that, together and working within the scope of this new network, they have “a to act at the national level”.

“I believe that this is the way to guarantee the healthy future of our children, especially because there is only one planet Earth”, highlights the founder of Floresta Nativa/Nativawak.

“By acting together, we are strengthening the entire network and creating opportunities to restore nature. This cooperation makes a lot of sense to obtain a broader vision”, confirms Vítor Gordo, founder of Ilhas da Biodiversidade, also mentioned in the note.

For the new Miniforest Network in Portugal, the partnership established between the six environmental organisations “aims to give visibility to the miniforests already planted and explore future collaborations between members, thus expanding these actions across all of Portugal”.

“With this joint effort, the aim is to increase knowledge, enhance the results of new miniforests and call for action so that companies, schools and local authorities collaborate and contribute to greater environmental sustainability in Portugal”, it is highlighted.