Help Create An Urban Oasis in Watson
The Watson Micro-forest will provide habitat for native wildlife, absorb carbon, and offer a shady and inviting place for locals to enjoy. This mini-ecosystem will cool the local environment by up to 6 degrees, offering much needed respite in summer with benefits for happiness, health and property values!
The Watson Micro-Forest project is truly people powered. Your donations will fund the micro-forest from start to finish. And you can get more involved by offering your skills, joining the planting days, and by promoting this crowdfunding campaign to your friends and neighbours.
A Place to Play, Discover and Enjoy
The Watson Micro-Forest will initially consist of around 1,500 climate ready native trees, shrubs, ground covers and creepers. Plants will be selected to tolerate increasingly hot and dry summers and be bushfire resistant. Clever landscaping will improve the soil and naturally retain water, reducing the need for irrigation. The micro-forest will feature a ‘forest classroom’ and give Indigenous culture a central place including through bush foods and medicinal plants.
If we meet our stretch goal, the micro-forest will also incorporate a playscape for children designed by iconic Canberra architect Paul Barnett. This nature-based playground will encourage ‘wild play’, helping kids to build important life skills and deepen their connection with nature. And it's not just about the kids - YOU are invited to participate at every stage: from design, to planting, to use and care.
Come Get Your Hands Dirty With Us!
We need you to help us grow the micro-forest — from an idea to a thriving, living, climate-cooling community space in Watson for everyone to share. Our base target of $20,000 will pay for The Climate Factory to produce a Park Master Plan consultation with the community; government approvals; earthworks to improve the soil and retain water; landscaping materials; and 1,500 climate-resilient plants to be planted by volunteers. With additional funds we can integrate a creative playscape for kids, install seating and signage, build an app to share project updates and resources, and more!
Your actions matter - so get involved. Pledge now then come meet your neighbours, get your hands dirty and have some fun! Learn more at www.watsonmicroforest.com
Meet the project creators
Watson Community Micro-Forest Project co-leads, Liz Adcock and Purdie Bowden, are Watson locals who want to make their wonderful suburb even better. Inspired by the Downer MicroForest Project (which was planted in Spring 2020), Liz and Purdie are supported by a growing group of clever, enthusiastic and fun volunteers who are helping to bring the micro-forest to life. To find out more visit www.watsonmicroforest.com