Mini-Forests are densely-populated forests grown within a small space. Inspired by Japanese Botanist Akira Miyawaki’s revolutionary growing technique, the native trees and shrubs in a Mini-Forest need only 15-20 years to reach maturity, while normal forests take over a century to develop. The compact design of Mini-Forest makes them perfect for adding a touch of green to isolated areas and urban spaces, yet Mini-Forest still provide all the environmental benefits that regular forests do. 

While Iowa currently has only one Mini-Forest, there are numerous Mini-Forests located around the world. In addition to various forests spread across the U.S and Canada, you can find Mini-Forests throughout Europe and Asia.

 The best way to get involved in the Brookview Mini-Forest is to volunteer. We encourage people of all ages, young and old, to participate and experience the Mini-Forest firsthand. Typical tasks for a Mini-Forest volunteer includes watering, mulching, weeding, and pruning. Contact us using the form at the bottom of the site to learn more and sign up for a volunteering session!