sugiproject

🌏SUGi Pocket Forests are greening cities from Beirut to Berkeley, Sao Paulo to London, on 6 continents; in 40 cities with the help of civic leaders, visionary brands, school children, and neighbors. Our nearly 200 pocket forests are not only equalizing access to green space, they: ✅ Reduce the heat island effect 🌡️ ✅ Yield a myriad of health and wellness improvements 💪 ✅ Mitigate flooding 🌧️ ✅ Clean the air, bring back the pollinators 🐝, and the birdsong 🎶 🌆Let’s make the city a place of hope, beauty, and resilience. Support Nature-based Solutions that build biodiversity, climate resilience and wellbeing in cities. 🌿Link in our bio 👆 Big shout out to our global community of incredible SUGi Forest Makers @brettacorp @MiyawakiForestWA @UrbanForestsBelgium @limbiblessing @bosko_chile @symbiotica.cl @minibigforest @naturemakers_lab @gauravafforestt @maruvan.in @carpe.ecosattva @ecologicalbalancecameroon @tayyun.co @mitialliance @theotherforest @shahzadqureshi900 @mzanziorganics @naturalurbanforests @earthseedlings @formigasdeembauba @greenpocketforests @mayalooking @smunitee @theotherdada @angelenosforgreenschools #SUGi #rewild #urbanforest #ecosystemrestoration #ecosystems #biophilic #miyawakimethod #naturebasedsolutions #nature #london #uk #heatislands #spongecity #soil #dirt #pocketforest #greeninfrastructure #biodiversity

The 2024 SUGi Impact Report is launching soon. Get ready to explore a year full of growth. 🌱📈🌳 Here is a little sneak peak. Support Nature-based Solutions that build biodiversity, climate resilience and wellbeing in cities. 🌿 #SUGi #PocketForest #Biodiversity #Cities #Plant #Trees #mentalhealth #GreenSchool #Ecosystem #Restoration #Rewilding #UrbanForest #Community #NatureBasedSolutions #Adaptation #ClimateChange #NbS #GreenInfrastructure

Discovering the Hidden Life in the Heritage Forest, Pont Street, London, UK  To highlight the wealth of living species now flourishing on Pont Street, we collaborated with fungi photographer Max Mudie @allthingsfungi. Max captured macro images of numerous fungi and moulds making their home throughout the Heritage Forest. Their presence demonstrates that strong mycorrhizal networks have developed underground and that the soil in the forest is healthy. It is especially exciting that some of the mushrooms observed are usually found only in old-growth forests (typically over a century in age), underlining the success of the Miyawaki ‘fast forest building’ method. Image: Lemon Disco (Bisporella citrina) The fungus produces tiny yellow “fairy cups,” up to 3mm in diameter, often without stalks. They fruit in groups or dense clusters on decaying deciduous wood that has lost its bark. Lemon discos are saprobic, meaning they obtain nutrients by breaking down complex organic molecules into simpler ones.  Support Nature-based Solutions that build biodiversity, climate resilience and wellbeing in cities. 🌿 Forest Partner: @LouisVuitton Cadogan Estate Photography: MaxMundi @allthingsfungi #SUGi #PocketForest #Biodiversity #Cities #Plant #Trees #mentalhealth #GreenSchool #Ecosystem #Restoration #Rewilding #UrbanForest #Community #NatureBasedSolutions #Adaptation #ClimateChange #NbS #GreenInfrastructure #London  #fungi #LemonDisco

Healing Forest, SUGi’s debut short film, explores an extraordinary collaboration with the Yakama Nation community. This powerful story reveals how the forest’s growth and restorative energy can inspire hope and renewal. Step into the forest through the film and join a movement that partners with Tribal communities to nurture healing and possibilities across First Nations in the United States. SUGi Forest Makers:  Ethan Bryson @naturalurbanforests & MaryLee Smunitee Jones @smunitee Director: Brad Abrams @bradwtf DOP: Brad Abrahams, @codycobb & Ryan McMackin Photography: Cody Cobb, Stephanie Hsie & Ryan McMackin Production Assistant: Adam Whitley Editor: @camilledurandvideoeditor Produced: SUGi Titles: SUGi  Forests Partners: @Breitling, Tiger Global Impact Ventures, @Life_Time_Foundation, @AllBirds x @voicefornature.co @iDig2Learn x RIOC x The Lenape People Special thanks to: Joelle Jones, Chief Vernon Alvarez, the Yakama Nation and everyone who has contributed to the planting, the film, the drawing class & the swan dances. Thank you for joining us in healing the soil. #SUGi #PocketForest #Biodiversity #Cities #Plant #Trees #mentalhealth #Ecosystem #Restoration #Rewilding #Community #NatureBasedSolutions #Adaptation #ClimateChange #NbS #GreenInfrastructure #USA #HealingForest #Heritage #Native #FirstNationsPeople #Life #Circle

📣 Now live 🔗 in bio - Can we heal the soil? Can people and land be woven back together? Healing Forest, SUGi’s first short film, tells the story of an unprecedented collaboration between SUGi and the Yakama Nation community. This short film brings the forest’s remarkable growth and nourishing power to life. As you watch the film, you enter the forest and become part of a movement to partner with Tribal communities to weave a renewed sense of healing and possibility across the First Nations of the United States. SUGi Forest Makers: Ethan Bryson @naturalurbanforests & MaryLee Smunitee Jones @smunitee Director: Brad Abrams @bradwtf DOP: Brad Abrahams, @codycobb & Ryan McMackin Photography: Cody Cobb, Stephanie Hsie & Ryan McMackin Production Assistant: Adam Whitley Editor: Camille Durand @camilledurandvideoeditor Produced: SUGi Titles: SUGi Forests Partners: @Breitling, Tiger Global Impact Ventures, @Life_Time_Foundation, @AllBirds x @voicefornature.co @iDig2Learn x RIOC x The Lenape People Special thanks to: Joelle Jones, Chief Vernon Alvarez, the Yakama Nation and everyone who has contributed to the planting, the film, the drawing class & the swan dances. Thank you for joining us in healing the soil. #SUGi #PocketForest #Biodiversity #Cities #Plant #Trees #mentalhealth #Ecosystem #Restoration #Rewilding #Community #NatureBasedSolutions #Adaptation #ClimateChange #NbS #GreenInfrastructure #USA #HealingForest #Heritage #Native #FirstNationsPeople #Life #Circle

Can we heal the soil? Can people and land be woven back together? Healing Forest, SUGi’s first short film, comes out on Saturday 7th December 2024.Get ready to step into our forest. SUGi Forest Makers:  Ethan Bryson @naturalurbanforests & MaryLee Smunitee Jones @smunitee Director: Brad Abrams @bradwtf DOP: Brad Abrahams, @CodyCobb & Ryan McMackin Photography: @CodyCobb, Stephanie Hsie & Ryan McMackin Production Assistant: Adam Whitley Editor: Camille Durand @camilledurandvideoeditor Produced: SUGi Titles: SUGi  Forests Partners: @Breitling, Tiger Global Impact Ventures, @Life_Time_Foundation, @AllBirds x @voicefornature.co @iDig2Learn x ROIC x The Lenape People Special thanks to: Joelle Jones, Chief Vernon Alvarez and the The Yakama Nation Everyone who has contributed to the planting, the film, the drawing class & the swan dances. Thank you for joining us in healing the soil. #SUGi #PocketForest #Biodiversity #Cities #Plant #Trees #mentalhealth #Ecosystem #Restoration #Rewilding #Community #NatureBasedSolutions #Adaptation #ClimateChange #NbS #GreenInfrastructure #USA #HealingForest #Heritage #Native #FirstNationsPeople #Life #Circle

What happens when you plant a whole community of species at once? 🌱🌿🦎 Pocket Forests offer more than (pretty) greenery; they restore ecosystems, boost biodiversity, and inspire us to reimagine urban spaces as thriving natural habitats. Elise Van Middelem, founder of SUGi, is bringing the power of native, old-growth forests to urban environments. Using the Miyawaki method—planting dense, mutually supportive micro-ecosystems—SUGi is transforming cities into living, resilient habitats where nature flourishes alongside urban life. Read (and listen 🎧) to the full article via the link in @instituteofnaturallaw bio. #pocketforests #urbanforestry #microecosystems #urbanlife #oldgrowthforests #biodiversity #climateaction #climatesolutions #miyawakimethod #SUGi

🇺🇸 From water intense lawn to a wild & self sustaining pocket forest for students to discover the beauty of biodiversity on their school grounds. This is 1 of 4 pocket forests planted with East Bay Students in Berkeley, California, USA SUGi partners with schools across the globe to plant ultra-dense, biodiverse forests closer to the classroom. Students at MLK Middle School are now able to benefit from the direct health effects of urban forests. Learning in Nature can improve a child’s behavior, helping them build stronger relationships, reduce stress and anger, and heighten curiosity. Even seeing Nature from a school building fosters creative thinking and expands the imagination. Today’s kids spend a whopping 44 hours a week in front of a screen and less than 10 minutes a day playing outside. Access to Nature is not equal; it’s too often dictated by where you live, your race and income level. These forests are a big leap forward in resetting the balance. Support Nature-based Solutions that build biodiversity, climate resilience, and wellbeing in cities. 🌿 Link in our bio 👆 Forest marker: Ethan & Neelam Thank you Marylee @smunitee Forest Partner: @voicefornature.co @allbirds Photography: @iancbates Bates #SUGi #PocketForest #Biodiversity #Cities #Plant #Trees #mentalhealth #Ecosystem #Restoration #Rewilding #UrbanForest #Community #NatureBasedSolutions #Adaptation #ClimateChange #greeninfrastructure #nbs #USA #BayArea #ThanksGiving #OutdoorClassroom #Native

SUGi Life: HAPPY FOREST FRIDAY 🌳🛒 See what your support has grown this month! From cities, schoolyards and communities we bring you SUGi Life. Support Nature-based Solutions that build biodiversity, climate resilience and wellbeing in cities. 🌿Link in our bio 👆 #SUGi #PocketForest #Biodiversity #Cities #Plant #Trees #mentalhealth #GreenSchool #Ecosystem #Restoration #Rewilding #UrbanForest #Community #NatureBasedSolution #Adaptation #ClimateChange #GreenInfrastructure #HeatIslands #Resilience #ThanksGiving

🌳🌍 ¿Sabías que existen “mini bosques” que crecen 10 veces más rápido? Conocé el método Miyawaki y cómo está transformando nuestras ciudades. 🌿💧 #PocketForest #Miyawaki #Sostenibilidad @sugiproject #creadoresdelmañana

In today’s Substack, we hear from Elise Van Middelem, founder of SUGi, whose innovative approach is transforming urban spaces into vibrant ecosystems with “pocket forests”. Elise shares how her journey—from a love of trees to discovering the Miyawaki method—inspired a movement to rewild cities. With over 230 projects worldwide, SUGI’s work reconnects people to nature while combating urban challenges like heat and flooding. Step into a story of regeneration, biodiversity, and our human connection to the land. Read (and listen 🎧) to the full article via the link in @Instituteofnaturallaw bio. #pocketforests #miyawakimethod #rewildingcities #urbanbiodiversity #climateaction #SUGi

🌳 Biodiversity works in harmony and balance to create a tree’s healthy biome, that is then part of the larger macro-organism that we call a forest. Left alone and in optimum conditions this balance occurs naturally and It’s only a lack of balance that causes the conditions for disease and illness - nature’s clean up crew of what is not of benefit, senescent or out of place. A tree’s own ecosystem is diverse and complex and ultimately made up of ecosystems within ecosystems - all made to tick and run via interacting biodiversity. One word to describe this interaction is a ‘holon’ - the endemic micro ecosystems of the tree and its immediate surrounding area. It’s said the holon contains all the biodiversity and plant life needed for healthy growth and life, it’s really just the plants and organisms that grow naturally in symbiotic relationships when left to be. In the case of trees this can have taken millions of years of adaptation and partnering up. Normally a negative change in the holon or ecosystem of a tree causes disease and even issues such as drought stress. Pathogenic fungi levels being out of balance is a prime example. Equally lack of natural tree strata layers that recycle precipitation to the forest floor is another example. It’s always good to take a walk in native, ideally old growth forest to see what grows with what in these mini ecosystems . 🌳 🌳 Support Nature-based Solutions that build biodiversity, climate resilience, and wellbeing in cities. 🌿 Link in our bio 👆 Words by: James @earthseedlings #SUGi #UrbanForest #MiyawakiMethod #Trees #Forest #Plants #Rewilding #Biodiversity #RewildingGeneration #fornature #ecosystem #ecosystemrestoration #biome #restoration #afforestation #pocketforest #internationalforestday #mentalhealth