From Canberra to the south coast to regional Victoria, local leaders are getting it done.
What is a microforest?
A microforest is a dense, native forest planted in a small urban space, sometimes as small as a tennis court. The approach is based on the Miyawaki method: native species planted densely in prepared soil, growing faster and supporting more biodiversity than conventional planting.
Six microforests & growing
To date, selected local leaders have delivered six microforests - four in the ACT and two in NSW - with new sites now progressing in Victoria, NSW and the ACT
Nearly 10,000 trees and plants
More than 9,000 native trees and shrubs have been planted across these sites, restoring habitat, cooling streets and strengthening local places.
Locally led, system backed
Every microforest is led by someone local who cares about where they live. We provide the pathway, templates and support. They provide the commitment and the people.
Who can be a local leader?
Local leaders are ordinary people who care about where they live. Young parents, working professionals, long-time locals. Most had never led anything like this before.
You don't need an abundance of free time or special skills. What matters is that you can bring a few people with you and keep them moving. Leadership here means organising a small crew, not doing everything yourself.
We give you the pathway, templates and support. You bring the people, the commitment and the local connection.
You're not carrying it alone. But you are the one who makes it happen.
Backed by Wedgetail
Our work has been supported by Wedgetail, the conservation fund founded by CEO Lisa Kate Miller and Canva co-founder Cameron Adams.
Their backing is helping us pilot school-based microforests and build a model schools across Australia can use.
Donate today
Your support makes new microforests possible.
Back the next leader
Someone right now is deciding whether to step up. Your support helps us find them, train them, and walk beside them until planting day.
Unlock new sites
Your donation helps us open doors with councils, partners and schools so projects can move forward.
Grow the movement
Every dollar helps us reach new towns, new schools, new neighbourhoods ready to build something that lasts.
FAQs
Who qualifies as a 'local leader'?
Someone with the commitment to take a microforest from idea to planting day. It's not about qualifications. It's about whether you can hold momentum, bring a few people with you, and finish what you start.
Most leaders are busy people with jobs and families. They step in anyway because the impact is worth it.
We provide the system, tools and approvals pathway. You provide the leadership and the local crew. The project succeeds because someone like you decides to carry it.
What are the benefits of leading a microforest project?
You get to change the place you live in a way you can actually see and stand inside.
You transform an overlooked patch of land into a living public space. You meet neighbours who start to recognise and trust you. You grow as a leader by holding momentum, coordinating others, and making real decisions.
The pathway is set: templates, approvals, budgets, insurance. You bring the drive.
Planting day is a peak moment. Hundreds of hands, real energy, a shared sense of "we built this." And the forest stays. A place you can walk past knowing you made it possible.
How long does it take?
It depends on the type of project.
Smaller microforests (around 500 plants, no earthworks) can go from first conversation to planting day in 2-3 months. Larger projects with co-design, water harvesting and outdoor classrooms take 12-18 months.
We support three types of projects to suit different leaders, sites and ambitions. Some people want trees in the ground fast. Others want to build something bigger with deeper community involvement. Both are valid. We'll help you figure out what fits.
I have a site but I can't lead. Can you help?
Yes - but every project we support needs local leadership. We provide the platform; the work on the ground is led locally.
If you have a site, we can assess it and add it to our list. Once a local leader comes forward, we support them through the process.
If you're a developer, government or landholder and want us to help find and establish a leadership team, that's something we can do as a funded engagement.
Get in touch and we'll talk through the options.
Where does my donation go?
Microforest Collective is a registered charity with tax-deductible status (DGR1). Your donation funds the platform that helps local leaders deliver microforests: onboarding, templates, approvals support, and the infrastructure behind every project.
We don't build microforests for people. We make it possible for more communities to build them themselves. You're not funding one planting day. You're helping make the pathway workable for anyone ready to lead.
Want to support a specific project? Add the project name in the donation field and we'll direct your contribution there.
How does the Microforest Collective fund its work?
We're a registered Australian charity. Our CEO works part-time and our board is volunteer-run. We're deliberately lean and built for the long term.
We fund our work through:
Donations from individuals who believe in community-led microforests.
Partners including values-aligned organisations supporting our national expansion.
Project contributions where projects contribute 5% of donations and 10% of grants in exchange for our platform, crowdfunding infrastructure, templates, mentoring and support.
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Planting days, project updates and stories from leaders across the country.
