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SUGi is a global movement dedicated to bringing life back to cities by creating ultra-dense, biodiverse pocket forests of native species, inspired by the Miyawaki method. These miniature forests transform urban and semi-urban areas into vibrant green spaces that support ecosystems, increase climate resilience, and improve overall well-being. Since launching in May 2019, SUGi has planted over 250 pocket forests across 54 cities on six continents, engaging nearly 100,000 youth and community members in the process. Each forest is carefully designed with local native species and dense planting techniques, allowing it to grow quickly and become self-sustaining. SUGi also emphasizes community involvement, bringing people closer to nature, fostering environmental stewardship, and enhancing social cohesion. By reconnecting urban populations with biodiversity, SUGi demonstrates the powerful role nature plays in tackling climate and social challenges while creating spaces of beauty, learning, and healing.
Elise Van Middelem
CEO
Operating since 2019
Eco-system
Industries
Cities and Towns
Villages
Sectors
Community Resilience
Education for Sustainability
Site Selection & Soil Preparation SUGi carefully selects urban or semi-urban plots with potential for ecological restoration. Soil is assessed, de-compacted, and enriched with organic matter and microbial inoculants to create a healthy, nutrient-rich, fungal-dominant environment that supports rapid forest growth.
Native Species Selection Each forest is planted using only local native species, often referencing nearby ancient or natural forests. This ensures the forest is ecologically appropriate, supports local wildlife, and can thrive with minimal maintenance.
Ultra-Dense Planting Saplings are planted at very high densities (typically 3–4 per m²), allowing them to compete, grow fast, and form a multi-layered canopy and robust root network. This accelerates forest maturation compared to traditional planting methods.
Layered Forest Design The forests are designed with multiple layers: canopy, understory, shrubs, and ground cover. This mimics natural forest structure, enhances biodiversity, and creates habitats for birds, insects, and soil organisms.
Mulching & Minimal Maintenance After planting, the forest is mulched heavily to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and feed soil organisms. Maintenance is minimal (usually 6–18 months) until the forest becomes self-sustaining, reducing long-term labor and costs.
Community Engagement & Stewardship Local communities, schools, and volunteers are actively involved in planting, watering, and learning about forest ecology. This not only supports the forest’s survival but also educates and empowers participants to become long-term environmental stewards.
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