Micro forests for developers

Since Biodiversity Net Gain became mandatory in England on 12th February, building developers are required to ensure that habitat for wildlife is in a better state than prior to the start of the building project. 

Biodiversity Net Gain states that each development must deliver a biodiversity gain of 10%. This can be achieved by creating biodiversity on-site (within the red line boundaries of the development), by improving off-site biodiversity on land owned elsewhere, by buying off-site biodiversity units from a third party or (as a last resort) through buying statutory biodiversity credits from the government.

Micro forests are an attractive potential solution for improving biodiversity on-site, they take up relatively little space (approximately 200 - 250 square metres), can have a disproportionate impact on species diversity and play and important role in residents' health and well-being by providing direct access to and engagement with nature.

Under the Statutory Biodiversity Metric, micro forests can be classified as mixed scrub and can deliver between 6.69 and 7.70 units per hectare at a Moderate condition. The Biodiversity Net Gain achieved will depend on the quality of the original habitat before planting. 

If you're a developer please email tim@microforests.co.uk to find out how micro forests can help you meet your Biodiversity Net Gain obligations. 

A micro forest can be a great educational asset for your school and students can be involved in every step of the journey, from planting to care for the trees. Planting and caring for a micro forests can be part of an after school eco-club or as part of regular biology / geography lessons. The micro forest can form a permanent on-site learning asset for every stage of education and provide a range of activities from leaf collection and identification to bug hunts, species identification and basic ecological surveys. 

Climate change and sustainability issues are top of the agenda for pupils and parents and planting a micro forest at your school is a great way to bring the whole school community together to make a positive impact on the environment. 

Micro forests for change can work with you to identify a suitable site at your school, provide a planting plan, agree levels of student involvement and provide ongoing support so you get the most out of your new micro forest! 

Please email tim@microforests.co.uk to find out more about planting a micro forest at your school. 

As a land owner you have a fantastic opportunity to help fight back for nature whether you are a business park or factory owner or part of the the UK transport network. If you have an area of land that is currently unused then turning this into a micro forest will increase species diversity in your area, enable you to make a positive contribution to nature and contribute to your company's ESG commitments. 

There are also plenty opportunities to involve your teams in the micro forest planting as part of a team building / employee engagement activity. 

Please email tim@microforests.co.uk to find out more about using your land to fight back for nature! 

Access to and the opportunity to engage with nature is vital for mental and physical health and this isn't always easy, particularly in urban environments. If you have a disused area of land, even as small as 10 metres x 10 metres then you can add a micro forest to your community and create a nature hub in your area that's accessible to all. Accessibility can be increased by adding seating areas and planning walks around or through the micro forest. 

Micro forests can also have a great cooling impact by creating areas of shade for wildlife and people, increasingly important due to the effects of climate change. 

Please email tim@microforests.co.uk to talk about adding a micro forest to your community. 

Are you dismayed by the state of nature in the UK (the bottom 10% of all nations globally) and want to do your bit to fight back for nature and increase species diversity? If you have even a relatively small area in your garden then you can plant a micro forest and do your bit. Planting a micro forest in your garden will provide valuable food and shelter for insects, birds and small mammals and increase the amount of wildlife that visits your garden. 

You can combine your micro forest with other nature friendly areas such as log piles and wildlife ponds and add features such as bird feeders to complement your natural assets.

Micro forests absorb water and sequester carbon (about the equivalent of a car journey from London to Madrid each year) and can be a fantastic way for kids to see and learn about nature. 

If you want to do your bit and use your garden to fight back for nature please email tim@microforests.co.uk.