Wolverhampton welcomes first Tiny Forest
The first Tiny Forest in the Black Country is being planted in Wolverhampton to help residents connect with nature and protect their environment for the future.
Wolverhampton Council is working with the OVO Foundation and Earthwatch Europe to create the Tiny Forest, which will be the size of a tennis court, at Oak Street Open Space in Merridale.
The forest, made up of 600 densely planted native trees, will offer a place for pupils to explore and learn in the local area.
Merridale’s Tiny Forest supports City of Wolverhampton Council’s Tree and Woodland Strategy and Open Space Strategy, as well as forming part of the response to its Climate Emergency declaration made in July 2019.
The forest at Oak Street Open Space will be available for children from local schools to visit and will also be open to the wider community who live near the site.
Councillor John Reynolds, cabinet member for children and young people and chair of governors at Merridale Primary School, said: “Tiny Forests really do prove that small is beautiful. They may appear little, but they bring huge benefits to the local area.
“Not only are they good for our environment, but they also offer a great opportunity for our children and young people to find out more about the world they live in and how to care for it.”
Simon Lane, headteacher at Merridale Primary School, said: “Merridale Primary has always had a commitment to the opportunities for learning and enjoyment in the outdoors.
“The school offers woodland walks, pond dipping, forest school and bird watching.
"The arrival of the Tiny Forest will offer an exciting new resource to widen our pupils’ experiences and offer recognition of the role trees play in all our lives.”
