Lake Mac Tiny Forest
Tiny Forests are a concept based on a methodology developed in the 1970’s by Akira Miyawaki, a Japanese botanist.

They consist of a dense pocket (approx. 200m2) of diverse, native vegetation. The method involves intense soil remediation to incorporate nutrients, and a dense planting structure. This results in accelerated growth and creates a mature forest structure about ten times faster than traditional forests.

A Tiny Forest aims to:
  • capture carbon
  • reduce localised urban heat
  • creates habitat for wildlife, and
  • support community connectedness.
ReLeaf Lake Mac is creating the first Tiny Forest in the Hunter Region right here in Teralba, Lake Macquarie.

Once complete, the Lake Mac Tiny Forest will be one of over 3000 worldwide helping to support biodiversity, capture stormwater and assist with combating climate change.
Download the Tiny Forest Handbook to learn more about the methodology and expected outcomes.
tiny_forest_handbook.pdf
File Size: 7850 kb
File Type: pdf
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The Tiny Forest has officially sprouted at Teralba!
With your help we've planted 757 plants to establish the Hunter's first Tiny Forest.
Thank you to everyone who helped with soil testing, mowed around the site, supported a Council motion, bought a raffle ticket, helped mulch and plant, or anything and everything in between. More than 170 community members have been involved in turning our vision into a reality.
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During the planting sessions, participants learnt about the purpose and aims of the project including that
  • Lake Mac faces the complex, intertwined challenge of climate change and accelerated population growth.
  • Our population of 215,000 is set to grow by 40,000 people in the next 20 years – resulting in an increased need for housing.
  • By 2036, its predicted Lake Mac will require an additional 13,700 new dwellings – which will result in large areas of land being cleared, reducing vital habitat for our insects, birds and mammals – exacerbating our current species extinction trends.
  • Research shows globally and locally biodiversity, especially urban biodiversity is under incredible strain - we are upsetting the balance of nature, making ecosystems fragile and less resistant to disruptions.
  • This is the same vital biodiversity that is critical to our survival - providing the air we breathe, pollination for our crops, and giving us the food, fibres, and fodder we rely on.
  • In Lake Mac we currently have 107 threatened species all at risk of becoming extinct.
  • This number has more than doubled in the last 7 years.
  • The Lake Mac Tiny Forest site is in the known territory of threatened species including the powerful owl, sugar glider, white bellied sea eagle, little bent-winged bats, and the eastern osprey.
  • The forest hopes to build them and other important critters like – bees, butterflies, and lizards a little patch of safety and sanctuary.  
  • The trees planted on tiny forest site will not only provide necessary habitat for our local bird, insect and animal species but also provide other essential ecosystems services like capturing carbon (while producing oxygen), reducing urban heat, trapping stormwater run-off and providing a pocket of nature for the community to come, visit, sit and appreciate – which research shows helps us feel calmer, happier, and more connected.
  • Participants were encouraged to come back and visit the forest when they need a positive boost and to bring their friends and family along and show them a local example of a nature-based solution to climate change.
Final Report
The Final Report details how we created the Teralba Tiny Forest, including site selection, soil testing, plant species selection, design, baseline citizen science studies, earthworks, planting days and ongoing Tree Keeper activities. The report also details some of the results from the project 2 months after planting.
Lake Mac Tiny Forest Final report - August 2023.pdf
File Size: 3783 kb
File Type: pdf
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Get involved
Follow the ReLeaf Lake Mac Facebook ​page ​for regular updates on our progress.
Forest Keeper team
Individuals and groups can become a citizen scientists or Tiny Forest ambassadors.
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Forest Keepers can assist with:
  • Routine maintenance of the site
  • Promoting the project and organising education and other activities
  • Scheduled citizen science activities
Contact us
releaflakemac@gmail.com
releaflakemac.org.au
ReLeaf Lake Mac Facebook page
Become a citizen scientist
We will be undertaking ongoing monitoring of the Tiny Forest site through Earthwatch's citizen science programs.
You can help by observing and documenting biodiversity at the Tiny Forest site, to help us understand how it changes over time.
Scan here or go to:
​https://eweu.uk/YcTNbc
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Do you own the next Lake Mac Tiny Forest site?
We are on the lookout for the next Tiny Forest site. An ideal Tiny Forest site will:
  • Be accessible to pedestrians and vehicles (earthwork machinery)
  • Have minimal overhead powerlines, underground services and existing mature trees
  • Be closely located to housing, school/s and public transport.
  • Be approximately 200m2
  • Be near an existing water outlet
  • Highly visible
  • Be near existing nature corridors
  • Have adequate sunlight, approximately 8hrs+ per day
  • Potentially be in area of urban heating concern (hot spot suburb)
If you own land with these characteristics, and would like to talk about hosting the next Tiny Forest, please get in touch with us at releaflakemac@gmail.com.
Community planting day
Sorry our planting day is full! We appreciate your enthusiasm to help.
We'll be planting more than 750 native plants to establish the Tiny Forest.
Sunday 28 May
10-11.30am
Tiny Forest site, Lake Crescent, Teralba

Registrations essential please at events.humanitix.com/tiny-forest-planting-day.
Site and concept design
The Lake Mac Tiny Forest is located at:
2A Five Islands Road, Booragul. Access to the site is from Lake Crescent, Teralba.
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Project Proposal
Read more about the proposed Tiny Forest in Lake Mac.
Lake Mac Tiny Forest - Project Proposal 2022.pdf
File Size: 2655 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Community Information Session
View the webinar recording from November 2022 here to learn all about the project, and how you can get involved.
Video: These tiny urban forests could be a secret weapon against climate change
Watch the video here to learn about Tiny Forest projects from around the world.
ABC Newcastle interview
A forest the size of a tennis court?
Listen to Anna Noon talk with ABC's Dan and Jenny about the Tiny Forest project, June 2022
Tiny Forest Sponsors and Supporters
We are increasing tree canopy and native vegetation cover across Lake Macquarie.

Trees and native vegetation filter air pollution, enhancing our quality of life. They shield buildings from the sun and provide shade for cyclists and walkers. They transform urban developments by making them more appealing places to work and raise families.

ReLeaf Lake Mac aims to protect existing and grow new green infrastructure, but it takes a village to grow a forest.

Find out how you can help.
Visit the Releaf Lake Mac website at releaflakemac.org.au, or Facebook page.
ReLeaf Lake Mac and the Lake Mac Tiny Forest are projects of the Lake Macquarie Sustainable Neighbourhood Alliance.