Mini Forest Alliance

Planting Trees Using the Miyawaki Method

The Algonquin Garden Club’s ambitious project at the Dixie Briggs Fromm Land and Water Preserve culminated on October 25, 2025. Thanks to the hard work of dedicated volunteers, a total of 207 native trees and shrubs were successfully planted, officially establishing the new Miyawaki Mini-Forest.

Algonquin Village President Debby Sosine was on hand to help us launch the Miyawaki Mini-Forest planting! President Sosine dug the ceremonial first shovel and planted several native canopy trees.

The Mini Forest Alliance is a collaboration between the Algonquin Garden Club Mini Forest Committee, Ruthless Readers, Wild Prairie Pickers, Dundee Township Open Space and Friends of the Dundee Natural Areas. Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild the World, our collaboration’s objective is to plant many mini forests in the McHenry/Kane county areas.

The article in the Northwest Herald has generated much enthusiasm for like minded people who want to help plant more trees.

Check out our YouTube channel to see how the mini forest has been created.

Benefits of more trees and native plants in our community

Forests beautify the land and make the environment more enjoyable for everyone around.
Forests improve air quality
Vegetation decreases noise level and regulate temperature.
Soil is better protected. Erosion and risk of flooding are effectively reduced. Improves water infiltration.
Forests provide great habitat for biodiversity and provide habitat for animals and insects. .
Forests store significant amount of CO² that no longer stay in the atmosphere.

Creating this Miyawaki Mini Forest the Algonquin Garden Club procured:

Donations or grants to buy supplies
Volunteers for preparation and planting days
Site preparation
Backhoe/excavator operator
Tree saplings, shrubs
Soil
Compost
Straw
Mulch
Tools
Fencing
Site placards & signage
Benches
Stepping stones
Work day vests/shirts, refreshments

To date a $3,500 grant has been awarded from the Nicor Gas Charitable Giving fund, a $250 grant from Espoma for fertilizer and tools have been donated by Ames Tools. Green Soils of East Dundee has donated four loads of compost.

Sharon Dickson owner of Dickson Design Studio has generously created the concept planting design for the Mini Forest. Thank you Sharon!