Many trees on a small piece of land: Tiny Forests bring nature to the city. 'The distance to the real forest is far too great for many children'

Tiny Forests, small urban forests of native species, aim to bring nature closer to children in cities. Initiated in Zaanstad, there are now over 350 such forests in the Netherlands. These projects rely heavily on community enthusiasm and involvement, as seen in schools like De Laarhorst, where students actively participate in planting and maintaining the forest. The ecological benefits include increased biodiversity and improved urban climate. However, challenges persist, such as maintenance and ensuring community engagement. The concept, inspired by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, emphasizes the importance of natural growth and biodiversity, although some forests face neglect without ongoing support from local schools or residents.