Hancock St Park Microforest is 600m2, accessed from Pelican Drive (south side) or Leith Crescent (east side), Rangeville. It is an extension of Hancock Street Park’s endangered ecosystem, creating a wildlife corridor to private land and supporting the same ecosystem.
The mini forest (microforest, pocket forest) concept was developed by Professor Akira Miyawaki in Japan. His ideas spread to Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, the Indian subcontinent and to Australia. Microforests are recognised as part of a worldwide effort to regreen our planet, to provide habitat for endangered species, to moderate the climate, and provide carbon storage.
FEP undertook this project to plant, and care for until establishment, over 1000 trees, shrubs, herbs, grasses and vines. The species chosen are those found in Hancock Street Park (see plant list). Three plantings have taken place with community participation. The project was funded by the Queensland Government’s Community Sustainability Action grant program and an Environment grant from the Toowoomba Regional Council.
Volunteers meet as required and more frequently to water the new plants after a planting day. If you would like to be involved in caring for the microforest please contact Elizabeth by email secretaryFEP@gmail.com.
Further information is available on the park blog.