About Us

Our Purpose

Forests for Watertown was created in 2023 by residents concerned about rising temperatures and declining tree canopy in our city. We are inspired by the Miyawaki Method of planting self-sustaining mini-ecosystems rather than single trees.

Key Goals

Explore ways to collaborate with nature to address climate change and heat islands.
Nurture a Green Space Coalition of organizations growing Watertown’s green spaces.
Expand native habitat for biodiversity and resilience in extreme weather.
Host nature experiences in the city, especially for our youth.

Miyawaki Method

We are inspired by successful Miyawaki forest planting projects worldwide.

The Miyawaki method is an afforestation technique that involves planting a variety of native trees and shrubs in dense groupings to quickly create forests. The method is based on natural reforestation principles and is often used to restore degraded land.

For more details, see our Resources.

We are a working group of Trees for Watertown.

Forests for Watertown Working Groups

We thrive on collaboration and have several working groups focused on different aspects of our work.

Forest Planting Projects

Plan and organize tree planting events, coordinate ongoing care and maintenance.

Communications and Community Engagement

Engage the community through events, advocacy, and partnerships.

Funding and Budget Management

Secure funding for tree planting efforts.

Data Collection & Research

Uses data to identify heat islands, assess tree cover, and track impact.

Want to get involved?

Join our team

Our Community Network

A tremendous thank you to the generosity and expertise of local organizations, businesses, and city staff that we collaborate with to maximize our impact.