Small Hands, Big Impact: Bringing the “Real” Forest Back to MST

The reforestation of the MST Garden has been a multi-year educational project that has involved collecting seaweed at a beach, gathering acorn in Arisugawa Park, bundling straw, conditioning the soil and finally planting native trees. The project has included the middle school adolescents on down to the Sunshine gardeners, as well as faculty and parents. Through all the lectures, demonstrations, research and hands-on experience MST may have the largest concentration of forestry experts in Tokyo!

Our Elementary 3rd year and HEAL students recently took an exciting step forward in MST’s greening journey. We were honored to welcome Silva NPO’s Kawashita-san for a special lecture on reforestation, where students explored how we can move beyond simply planting trees in the MST Garden to truly rebuilding ecosystems.

The session encouraged students to think more deeply about the natural world—especially the forests around us.

Recovering Native Forests

One of the key ideas was the importance of recovering native forests in Japan. While global issues like the Amazon rainforest often receive attention, many of Japan’s original forests have been replaced over time by man-made vegetation. By learning about what has been lost, students are beginning to understand how to restore the right kinds of ecosystems in our own environment.

Students also discovered that forests are much more than beautiful landscapes—they are essential systems that support life. Healthy forests clean our air and water, protect against natural disasters like flooding and landslides, and help regulate temperature and groundwater. In many ways, a forest acts as a living form of protection for the community.

The Miyawaki Method

To bring these ideas into action, MST is using the Miyawaki Method, a globally recognized approach to reforestation. By planting a dense mix of native species, this method helps forests grow up to ten times faster than they would naturally. In just 20 to 30 years, a strong and biodiverse forest can be established.

Most importantly, students came away with a sense of possibility. While environmental challenges like climate change can feel overwhelming, they learned that humans also have the power to restore and heal nature.

Through the MST Garden project, our students are not only learning about ecosystems—they are actively helping to create one. As this forest grows, so too will their understanding of the natural world and their role within it.

Naoko Kikkawa and Wind Edward Kim