Campbelltown is set to grow something small with big impact, with Council teaming up with Earthwatch Australia and Brother International Australia to bring the city’s first Tiny Forest to Glenfield.
Residents are now being invited to roll up their sleeves for a community planting day at Childs Reserve on Saturday 21 March, from 9.30am to 12.30pm, helping create a new pocket of native bushland in the heart of the suburb.
About the size of a tennis court, a Tiny Forest is a densely planted area of native vegetation designed to regenerate urban spaces fast. Using the Miyawaki method, the project combines enriched soil, diverse local species and dense planting to create thriving mini-ecosystems.
Mayor Darcy Lound said the project would bring together locals who care deeply about the natural environment.
“This is a fantastic project that will engage passionate community members who share a love for Campbelltown’s environment,” he said.
He said the planting day would also be a chance for residents to learn more about the initiative and stay involved as it grows.
“The community planting day is a great opportunity for people to come down and learn about the Tiny Forest and how they can get involved in the project going forward,” Lound added.
Earthwatch Australia CEO Fiona Sutton Wilson said the project proves that even small green spaces can make a major difference.
“Tiny Forests show us that even small pockets of nature benefit our cities,” she said.
“By turning underused urban spaces into biodiverse bushland, we create habitat for wildlife while giving local communities an outdoor classroom to learn about nature.”
Wilson said citizen science would play a key role, allowing locals to see firsthand how urban bushland can improve soil, cool neighbourhoods, support pollinators and store carbon.
Brother International Australia People and Culture Manager Claire Mawn said the partnership reflected the company’s belief that sustainability becomes most powerful when communities are directly connected to it.
“Sponsoring Tiny Forest through Earthwatch has given our employees the chance to contribute to real environmental efforts while building meaningful connections with the local community,” she said.
The Glenfield project is expected to deliver more than new greenery, creating habitat, boosting biodiversity and giving residents a hands-on stake in Campbelltown’s greener future.
