Vision

Our Action Project at Southwood Secondary involved the installation of a microforest on the school grounds. This initiative was spearheaded by the school’s Environment Club. With funding from Gore Mutual Insurance and the 2 Billion Trees program, we planted 100 trees with the help of 20 volunteers from Gore Mutual and passionate students from the Environment Club. The students were actively involved in planting, watering, and mulching the trees, and they will continue to care for the microforest as it grows.

The microforest project directly contributes to sustainability and climate change mitigation by enhancing local biodiversity, improving air quality, and sequestering carbon. Microforests are known for their dense planting and rapid growth, which allows them to absorb more CO2 compared to traditional urban green spaces 2. This helps reduce the urban heat island effect and provides a habitat for local wildlife, promoting ecological balance.

The microforest is important to our community because it provides a green space in an urban setting, offering educational and passive recreational opportunities for students and residents alike. It serves as a living laboratory where students can learn about ecology, sustainability, and the importance of environmental stewardship. Additionally, the microforest enhances the aesthetic appeal of the school grounds and fosters a sense of pride and ownership among students and community members

Action

Our students were inspired by the need to address climate change and the opportunity to make a tangible impact in their community. The idea of creating a green space that would benefit both the environment and the school community resonated with them. They were motivated by the success of previous microforest projects in the region and the desire to be part of a larger movement towards environmental sustainability.

Reflection & Celebration

The microforest is an important legacy-building project in our community because it provides a green space in an urban setting, offering educational and passive recreational opportunities for students and residents alike. It serves as a living laboratory where students can learn about ecology, sustainability, and the importance of environmental stewardship. Additionally, the microforest enhances the aesthetic appeal of the school grounds and fosters a sense of pride and ownership among students and community members.

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