As leaders in the East Coast Miyawaki forest revolution, we are excited to see coverage of this miniforest outside Los Angeles go mainstream on NPR. Learn how scientist use spider webs to track biodiversity and how park visitors become part of the citizen science team to measure plant growth.
NPR’s Short Wave dives into California’s largest miniforest, located in Ascot Hills Park. After just two years, scientists have noted significant increases in biodiversity and impressive growth of plants that tend to grow more slowly on their own, outside of miniforests.
From decreasing the likelihood of weeds growing through crowding to mapping the types of creatures that frequent the forest through spiderwebs, this miniforest is teeming with life and helping scientists define the benefits of miniforests.
Posted: January 17, 2026