BHS Mini-Forest at Belmont High School

In Fall 2025, the Miyawaki Forest Action Belmont (MFAB), under the guidance of Biodiversity For a Livable Climate (Bio4Climate), will be planting a mini-forest using the Miyawaki Forest at the Belmont High School.

Join Us As a Volunteer

Miyawaki Forest Action Belmont (MFAB) is an intergenerational group of local residents dedicated to establishing Miyawaki forests in Belmont. Our focus is on education and community building, providing Belmont a hands-on place to learn about environmental stewardship and biodiversity.

Our committee members include:

Jean Devine
Jess Hausman
Ralph Jones
Holly Kong
Ranganath Nayak
Michelle Oishi
Kirsten Waerstad
Sarah Wang

We are seeking volunteers to help bring Belmont’s first mini-forest to life by planting hundreds of native plants. Your support will turn this vision into reality, benefitting both human and non-human communities.

Why plant a mini-forest at Belmont High School?

Educate students about biodiversity and natural systems
Create an outdoor space for teaching science, language, and visual arts
Empower students to positively influence their environment
Improve stormwater absorption on site
Mitigate the urban heat island effect
Strengthen the sense of community within Belmont Town and Schools

If you’d like to be part of this transformative project, please fill out this sign-up form to express your interest in volunteering.

The forest will need stewards and volunteers to plant seedlings, spread mulch, organize materials and volunteers, and take care of the forest after planting, including wedding, litter removal and data collection. While we are prioritizing participation from Belmont residents and high school students, everyone is welcome to join. Kids are encouraged to get involved, too!

We look forward to connecting with you and collectively healing our shared Earth in harmony with native plants, microorganisms, sunlight, and natural cycles. Once the final planting date is set, we will share more details via email.

Get Involved: Have questions about volunteering and more? Email us at miniforestbelmont@gmail.com

Grow With Us: Help turn Belmont High School into a biodiversity hotspot—donate here!

We have broad community support:

The School Committee
The Town Tree Warden and Department of Public Works
High School Principal Isaac Taylor
Sustainable Belmont
Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways Group

I am extremely excited at the prospect of having this forest established on the Belmont Highschool (BHS) campus. My belief is that the Miyawaki forest project will not only further enhance biodiversity at BHS, but will continue to educate students and community members about the benefits and beauty of creating habitats for native plants and creatures, and offsetting the impact of the constructed environment such as runoff. The forest will also be a valuable educational resource for the school. There are clear benefits for a science and engineering curriculum, which are enhanced by opportunities to observe and collect data from the natural world. But beyond that, the space can be used for mindfulness, creative inspiration, and reflection. My support for this program is unequivocal….“

– Isaac Taylor, Principal, Belmont High School

About Miyawaki Forests

The Miyawaki Forest is an ultra dense, biodiverse pocket forest that recreates the complexity of natural forests and the relationships and processes that help them grow strong and resilient. By giving home to a vast array of native species, they boost the biodiversity of the area and nurture pollinators, supporting and restoring ecosystems.

They sequester carbon in the soil, reduce air pollution and soil contamination, improve water absorption to buffer against flooding and erosion, and cool the surrounding area to mitigate the urban heat island effect. They also create a living classroom for people and communities to learn about native ecology, engage in stewardship, and experience the interconnectedness of the natural world.

Updates

Coming soon!

BHS Mini-Forest at Belmont High School