By Envirocentre
There’s something new and exciting at York Street Public School this fall. After a year’s worth of work, the students have a transformed the outdoor schoolyard that now includes a Tiny Forest, a green fence line, a student-created mural, and an outdoor classroom and seating area.
In October 2023, York Street Public School students and staff gathered to help plant a Tiny Forest in their schoolyard. Tiny Forests are great additions to urban spaces for many reasons, including supporting biodiversity, increasing tree canopy cover, and reducing the impacts of climate change. First, using the Miyawaki method, the soil for the Tiny Forest area was improved to mimic the conditions of a mature forest floor that might have been found in this area long ago. Then, native species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers were planted close together to encourage the plants to grow quickly upwards. As the forest grows, it will contribute to cleaning the air, acting as a sound and privacy barrier, and providing shade and cooling to the school grounds.
All the students took part in the planting day for the Tiny Forest. Older students were paired up with their younger peers to help guide them through the planting process. After a quick demonstration from Forêt Capitale Forest and EnviroCentre staff, everyone got to work planting the 185 m2 forest area. To further reduce noise and distractions from the surrounding streets, over 200 shrubs and trees were also planted around the schoolyard’s perimeter, creating an urban oasis.
This spring, students collaborated to create a mural to make the outdoor space their own. Students painted designs on large wooden leaf cutouts, which now adorn a fenced area in the yard, turning it into a vibrant gallery.
Over the course of the summer, the Tiny Forest has shown incredible growth. An outdoor classroom and seating area were also installed, completing the schoolyard’s renovation. The new space offers students hands-on opportunities to learn about the importance of green spaces and their local environment and will provide a fun space to play and explore.
This project was organized and facilitated by EnviroCentre, with support from Forêt Capitale Forest, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board, and many other community partners. It was funded through a private donation from the Josette Robertson and Joan Johnston Family Foundation – Ottawa Community Foundation.
