Florida Veterans for Common Sense Fund Inc. (FLVC S FUND) in cooperation with the Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay\, Sol utions to Avoid Red Tide (START)\, and Sarasota County’s Neighborhood Environmenta l Stewardship Team (NEST)\, have worked together to plant a demonstrat ion Sarasota Urban ReForestation (SURF) microforest at the Celery Fields\, a popular ecological site and recreational amenity\, in Sarasota County.\n

Fast Growth Microforest

Japanese Botanist Akira Miyawaki pioneered the technique to g row a microforest in 20-30 years that can have the attributes of a forest 200-300 years old. Using the Miyawaki technique\, native species are plant ed close together to compete for sunlight. This technique allows the trees to grow upward instead of sideways. As a result\, the forest grows denser and as much as ten times faster. As a bonus\, in three short years the mi croforest should be nearly maintenance-free.

The team worked with the Serenoa Chapter o f the Florida Native Plant Society and the Sarasota Audubon Society to find the best mix of native pl ants for an approximately 1/3-acre footprint chosen for the microforest. T he team planted more than fifteen tree and shrub species. The plantings in cluded canopy trees such as\, bald cypress and live oak\, and understory s pecies such as\, Dahoon Holly and Sugar Berry. In addition\, the team adde d a ground layer of native shrubs and plants like coontie and beauty berry .

The site chosen for th e forest was an open field covered with grass. Volunteers covered the site with a layer of cardboard and covered that material with wood chips. It s uppressed the grass\, provide nutrients for the forest’s fast growth\, and store moisture in the soil.

Carbon Capture and Runoff Avoided

The primary goal for the forest is to sequ ester carbon to combat climate change. The microforest will become effecti ve carbon sink. Forest ecologists estimate that plants and soil in a natur al forest can store 40 times more carbon than a monoculture forest. The te am estimates that the Celery Fields microforest will sequester approximate ly 600 tons of carbon in 30 years. Another major benefit will be to inter cept and filter rainwater. The rainwater would otherwise leave the site to transport pollutants that foster red tide and\, during intense rain event s\, cause downstream flooding. It’s estimated that over 3\,865\,00 gallon s of water will be intercepted. Further\, this interception will prevent o ver 850\,000 gallons of runoff in 30 years.

Additional Be nefits

The forest will provide many other benefits as well. An immediate benefit is that a Miyawaki forest can restore Sarasota’ s depleted urban forest much quicker than a traditionally planted natural forest. The County will save money and effort by no longer having to mow t he area\, which will greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The microfor est will calm storm winds as well\, which is an important benefit as clima te change makes SW Florida more vulnerable to hurricanes. As it grows to m aturity\, the forest will provide shade to help cool the urban heat island and it will filter the air.

The ecological benefits of the microf orest are numerous. A primary consequence will be an increase in biodivers ity. Much of the Celery Fields is currently open grassland and pond habita t. While the Celery Fields is already a birding hotspot\, the microforest will make it better. It will introduce a forest habitat that is missing f rom the Celery Fields\; this increase in biodiversity will attract more sp ecies of birds\, particularly migratory songbirds\, as well as other anima ls. The diverse tree and plant species will provide food and shelter for c reatures like butterflies\, amphibians\, and mammals.

The microfor est makes the Celery Fields\, a highly prized recreational gem\, even bett er. Runners and walkers will enjoy the shady forest as a break from the su n soaked open areas. The serenity provided by the forest will soothe the h uman spirit as well. Already\, bird watchers are checking the forest and v isitors to the site often tell our team how much they like the project.

Community Cooperation

A tremendous benefi t of the project is outstanding community cooperation. Michael Saunders Fo undation\, The Rotary Club of Sarasota Bay Foundation\, Florida Veterans f or Common Sense Inc.\, START and several private individuals provided fund ing. Several different businesses donated material and expertise. The Sere noa Chapter\, Native Plant Society and Sarasota Audubon provided technical expertise and logistical support. And most importantly\, the project succ eeded due to the hard work of many volunteers and their efforts are ongoin g.

The benefits from the microforest concept are so apparent that the team envisions many more will be planted in S.W. Florida. The team exp ects the Celery Fields Miyawaki microforest to be the first of many.