Exciting progress is underway at Del Rey Woods Elementary School in Seaside, where students, parents, teachers, and community volunteers came together on October 17 to plant Monterey County’s first-ever Miyawaki Forest!  Students had already laid the groundwork, turning a patch of dead dirt into nutritious soil – ready for planting.  They prepared the soil by layering cardboard, manure, mulch, and wood chips to build a rich foundation for native trees and plants.  

This project is part of CSMC’s community-funded “Big Idea” for 2024-2025, which involves creating Miyawaki-inspired microforests in local schoolyards and public spaces in Monterey County.  Each rapidly growing forest will become a lush, dense, vibrant habitat that
💚 Boosts biodiversity and wildlife.
💚 Fights climate change by capturing carbon.
💚 Improves air quality and cool urban areas.
💚 Restores soil health and fosters community connections, 

🌳 The students are experiencing the power of regeneration by growing the forests of the future! 🌳

Read about this project in a Monterey County NOW interview by Katie Rodriquez with CSMC President, Janette Leonidou:  A Microforest is Underway at Seaside’s Del Rey Woods Elementary School