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:
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Foster collaboration and peer exchange among network members
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Facilitate knowledge sharing, best practices, and research
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Collaborate with stakeholders for policy recommendations
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Support capacity building for petite forest creation and management
Key Outcomes
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Enhancing Knowledge: Increase public awareness, strengthen research, and build capacity through training and workshops.
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Catalyzing Action: Preserve biodiversity, improve health, support climate resilience, and influence urban policies.
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Building Community: Facilitate knowledge exchange, foster innovation, and encourage collaboration across global networks.
The UN Petite Forests Network Launch in Utrecht on September 25th!
The UN Petite Forests Network will be launched on September 25th during The Future Green City World Congress. The event will bring together leading organizations working to bring petite forests to communities around the world and will discuss opportunities on how the Network can support these efforts going forward. It will be the first event of many.
The event agenda will be available soon. In the meantime, the full programme of The Future Green City World Congress can be found here.