UN Petite Forests Network

About the UN Petite Forests Network

The UN Petite Forest Network is hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) in partnership with Earthwatch Europe. All are welcome to join us in creating a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

Our Mission: A Global Movement for Greener Cities

The UN Petite Forests Network champions the transformation of urban landscapes. We're a global community dedicated to creating vibrant, resilient cities with strong communities through the power of small forests and forest gardens.

Petite Forests may include dense clusters of native trees and shrubs in small spaces, such as those inspired by the Miyawaki method. They may also take different forms, based on the desired functions, benefits and available resources and space.

Petite forests help build healthier and more livable urban spaces, bringing plazas, streets and schoolyards to life. They help engage the community and build support for urban greening efforts by creating a deeper connection between nature and environmental stewardship.

Cities often face significant inequalities in access to nature, with the most disadvantaged neighborhoods often having the least access to nature-rich spaces. Petite forests and urban forest gardens offer a practical solution to improve green space accessibility for these communities and empower individuals to take positive environmental action.

Network Focus Areas

Our activities will include:

Foster collaboration and peer exchange among network members
Facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, and research
Collaborate with stakeholders for policy recommendations
Support capacity building for petite forest creation and management

Key Outcomes

Enhancing Knowledge: Increase public awareness, strengthen research, and build capacity through training and workshops.
Catalyzing Action: Preserve biodiversity, improve health, support climate resilience, and influence urban policies.
Building Community: Facilitate knowledge exchange, foster innovation, and encourage collaboration across global networks.

The UN Petite Forest Network made its official debut on September 25th at the Future Green Cities event

The UN Petite Forest Network made its official debut on September 25th at the Future Green Cities event, in an event co-organized by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and Earthwatch Europe, with key participants like the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH), World Urban Parks (WUP), and representatives from Utrecht and Liverpool. Each speaker shared their experiences through compelling storytelling, providing depth but also offering practical guidance on establishing petite forests- small, dense clusters of native trees suited for limited urban spaces. The discussions emphasized how micro forests can revitalize communities, with Utrecht and Liverpool offering valuable insights from their urban greening projects, sharing both their successes and lessons learned from existing challenges. With the official launch of the UN Petite Forest Network, a new effort to green urban spaces is underway, enhancing city landscapes by creating small forests that can be integrated into streets, plazas, and schoolyards, boosting biodiversity, address climate change, and foster community involvement.

For more details about the event and the agenda, please visit the event page.

Speakers at the UN Petite Forests Network launch event in Utrecht.png