NYC’s first-ever ‘mini forest’ coming to Roosevelt Island this spring
NYC's first-ever 'mini forest' coming to Roosevelt Island this spring New York Post
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New Yorkers to Welcome First-Ever Mini Forest in Manhattan
The city of New York will soon witness the emergence of a forest amidst its concrete jungle. This spring, a planting initiative that has been successful worldwide will take root on Roosevelt Island, creating the first-ever mini forest in Manhattan. The Manhattan Healing Forest, located on the southern tip of the island between Manhattan and Queens, will consist of over 1,000 different native plants, according to the SUGi Project.
Ecological Benefits of the Mini Forest
Despite its small size of approximately 2,700 square feet (slightly smaller than a tennis court), the Manhattan Healing Forest will provide substantial ecological benefits. Christina Delfico, the founder of nature nonprofit iDig2Learn, which is involved in leading the project, emphasized the importance of planting trees in an island city like New York. She stated, “We’re an island. We think about flooding, we think about storm surge, and the best treatment is to plant a tree. The roots will stabilize the land. With good soil, there won’t be flooding. The concrete jungle needs pocket forests.”
The Miyawaki Method for Creating Lasting Ecosystems
The Manhattan Healing Forest will be carefully constructed using the Miyawaki Method, named after the renowned Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki. This method has gained immense popularity for creating lasting ecosystems in urban environments. The process involves stripping the land and laying down a foundation of compost and mulch. Native trees and shrubs are then planted close together to promote rapid plant growth. According to The New York Times, Miyawaki-based forests become self-sufficient in as little as three years and reach full maturity within a few decades. These forests provide habitats for insects and wildlife, filter the air, and offer a respite from the hectic city life for locals.
Implications for Sustainable Development Goals
The Manhattan Healing Forest, with its diverse array of flora and fauna, aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It serves as a miniature lung for Manhattan, providing habitats for migratory birds, butterflies, and various urban wildlife. This initiative contributes to SDG 15 (Life on Land) by promoting biodiversity and protecting ecosystems. Additionally, it supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by creating green spaces within the city and improving the overall well-being of residents.
Community Involvement and Future Plans
The Manhattan Healing Forest will be the 200th completed project by SUGi. The foundation will cover the costs, which typically amount to about $200 per 10 square feet, according to The New York Times. Similar Miyawaki-inspired pocket forests have been established in cities across Europe, Asia, and South America. Closer to home, they can be found in Los Angeles and Cambridge, Massachusetts. The forest on Roosevelt Island’s Southpoint Park will consist of 40 species of flora, including white oak, Virginia strawberry, butternut, New York fern, and eastern white pine. Community volunteers are scheduled to begin planting on April 6.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the planting of a mini forest in New York City, specifically on Roosevelt Island. This initiative is connected to SDG 11, as it aims to create a sustainable city by incorporating nature into the urban environment. It also relates to SDG 13, as the forest will help mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing flooding and storm surge through tree planting. Additionally, it aligns with SDG 15, as the mini forest will provide a habitat for insects, wildlife, and urban biodiversity.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
- SDG 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.
- SDG 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally.
The specific targets identified from the article include SDG 11.7, which aims to provide universal access to green spaces. The mini forest on Roosevelt Island will serve as a green space accessible to the community. SDG 13.1 is also relevant, as the forest will contribute to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards by mitigating flooding and storm surge. Lastly, SDG 15.2 is addressed through the afforestation of the mini forest, promoting sustainable forest management and increasing tree cover in urban areas.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of green spaces accessible to the community
- Reduction in flooding and storm surge incidents
- Percentage increase in tree cover in urban areas
The article mentions that the mini forest will provide a green space accessible to the community, indicating progress towards SDG 11.7. The forest’s ability to stabilize the land and prevent flooding implies progress towards reducing climate-related hazards, as stated in SDG 13.1. Additionally, the afforestation of the mini forest contributes to increasing tree cover in urban areas, aligning with SDG 15.2.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons, and persons with disabilities. | Number of green spaces accessible to the community |
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. | Reduction in flooding and storm surge incidents |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests, and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. | Percentage increase in tree cover in urban areas |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: nypost.com
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