The large impact of a Tiny Forest

The very first Nedlin Tiny Forest will be planted near Nedlin Industry in Hoensbroek this year: a lush indigenous forest, the size of a tennis field. People who live in the neighbourhood can get together in a beautiful green location, children will learn about Dutch nature in the outdoor classroom. THEA JETTEN, programme manager at IVN, explains how this tiny forest brings nature closer to the everyday lives of people. Nedlin is the first company in the Netherlands with their own Tiny Forest. This way, the company will do good for the environment every day.

Earth Ambassadors

If we want to compensate for all the CO2 emissions since the 19th century, we will have to plant 1 billion trees, according to recent research from scientists in Switzerland. Trees are the unsung heroes in the fight against climate change. They reduce heat stress and store water, and they reduce soil erosion, because their roots hold soil. Nedlin was aware of this, and has wanted to start planting trees for a long time.

They found the answer in Kerkrade, at Columbus earth centre. Nedlin is associated with this museum, and strives for the well-being of the earth as Earth Ambassador, together with other ambassadors. At a meeting about the forest as a sustainable superhero, IVN pitched the concept of Tiny Forests. “Nedlin called the next day” Thea Jetten says, “to ask about the possibilities. Well, there were a lot!”

Tiny Forest

Together, IVN and Nedlin will plant a Tiny Forest in 2020. They will do that according to the forestry practice that the Japanese tree expert Akira Miyawaki invented in the 70s to recover indigenous forests and make eco systems resilient. Jetten: “A Tiny Forest consists of about 600 indigenous trees that are planted very close together, so that they quickly grow to a good height.”

“For every Tiny Forest, at least 200 square metres are needed, that we can use over the next 10 years and work at a depth of 1 metre. This piece of land will be made available by the municipality of Heerlen. The Tiny Forest must fit in its environment. That’s why we always plant indigenous trees: such as aspen, common oak or hazel.”

For the world of tomorrow

For a family business, it’s important to look further than the short term. Nedlin wants to have significance, for their clients, their environment and the environment of the people that they work for. Jetten: “With a Tiny Forest you can bridge the gap between humans and nature. Research shows how important it is for air quality and the health of people, for example for their intestinal flora. It’s not just an ideal place for butterflies, birds and bees, but also for people: it brings people who live in the area together.”

“We always plant a Tiny Forest together with the children from the local elementary school or scouting. A lot of kids have never planted a tree before. Together with grade 3 and 4 or 5 and 6 from the elementary school, we make plans for their Tiny Forest. We really turn planting into a party. The kids will stay involved with what happens next, and they will frequently return to the outdoor classroom.”

First in the Netherlands

Nedlin is the first company in the Netherlands that is planting their own Tiny Forest. Other companies, like ASN Bank, sponsored IVN or planted a (little) forest on their own terrain. Nedlin takes it a step further: they plant a forest and they stay involved in further planting and maintenance. “Completely unique in the Netherlands”, says Jetten. “An example for other companies. We now have 10 Tiny Forests in Limburg, and the next planting season that number will double, with the help of Nedlin.”

Sustainable motivation

IVN has a critical screening process for the companies they work with. Jetten: ‘We can use all the support we can get, but it shouldn’t be greenwashing. We once received a sponsoring offer from a company that practiced ecologically irresponsible trading. This is not the kind of partner we want, no matter how much we need the resources. We want to work on the future together. This is not possible with companies who are damaging nature at the same time. That is why, just like Nedlin, we use the Sustainable Development Goals as our yardstick. What is the impact? For whom? What do we contribute to? With Nedlin, it didn’t take long before we were convinced. From the website to the enthusiasm of the employees: everything breathes sustainability. It’s really in Nedlin’s DNA, which makes them an ideal partner for IVN.”

Local impact

Jetten: “It is scientifically proven that a lot of small forests are at least just as effective as one large forest. Not to mention the lessons for children and meeting place for the neighbourhood. Nature is extremely important for people’s health. Limburg is one of the less healthy regions in the Netherlands, Parkstad is even number 1 on the lists. That’s why it’s perfect that we’ll be working here with Nedlin. A Tiny Forest can sequester 152.5 kilos of CO2 during its first year. Every year that the trees grow this number will become higher, and that is needed more than ever. A Tiny Forest is a very good example of how we can all start, especially companies like Nedlin. If everyone makes a small contribution, together we can be big.”