Tiny forest, big impact: watch the residents of Hackney plant 600 trees in one day
23rd March 2026
Have you ever tried to build an entire forest in a single afternoon?
That is exactly what we set out to do at Clissold Park in Hackney. Armed with spades and a wheelbarrow full of enthusiasm, the local community teamed up with Earthwatch, Hackney Council and Redevco to plant a brand-new Tiny Forest right in the middle of the city in Clissold Park.
Why build a forest in the city?
Urban green spaces do a lot of heavy lifting for our environment in big cities. They help soak up carbon and give local wildlife a safe place to thrive. A Tiny Forest is a dense, fast-growing and native woodland made up of 600 trees planted closely together. They make a great home for wildlife and are green spaces for people to enjoy as well as helping in the fight against climate change.
“This is my local park and I love it. This is a great initiative for local people, and I am so excited to be part of it.”
– Lorenza, local resident and Tiny Forest participant
A Tiny Forest packs these environmental and mental health benefits into a space about the size of a tennis court. It grows fast and sustains local wildlife, giving local people a wild space to call their own.
Mud, sweat and community spirit
On the day we had over a hundred people from the local community turn up to help, including schoolchildren, local residents, workers from local companies and even a couple of London Mayors.
Mete Coban MBE, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy came down to plant a tree and explained: “A lot of the residents that live in tower blocks in this area don’t have access to green space. Initiatives like this help create more high-quality spaces for local people to enjoy.”
We also had a visit from Caroline Woodley, Mayor of Hackney, who showed some impressive planting skills. She said: “I’m really pleased to come down here today and support this Earthwatch Tiny Forest in Hackney. They’ve done a fantastic job with the soil and I’m hoping the trees will thrive.”
We captured the best moments of the day on camera, so you can see the action for yourself. Check out our short film to watch the new forest take root and hear from the people who made it happen, including excited residents and the Deputy Mayor of London, who shared exactly what this new green space means to Hackney.
Want to get your hands dirty?
Want to get your hands dirty?
We would love to see you at our next event. Keep an eye out for upcoming Earthwatch planting days near you. Until then, why not head out and appreciate some of the wild spaces right on your own doorstep?
