Climate Factory aims to create a native micro forest in Moruya

In the city, Ms Robinson was struck by urban heat, and the lack of plants. She noticed she was surrounded by concrete, and not the native flora she loved. All these observations intertwined with her increasing fear of the prevalence of climate change.

"Why not put together some of the skills I've got and try to do something about it," she thought to herself.

Ms Robinson began the Climate Factory - a social initiative to create micro-forests across the country that would add beauty to towns and cities while protecting native species and reducing increasing temperatures.

In 2019 she successfully crowdfunded to being planting a micro-forest in Downer, Canberra. She raised more than $20,000 and planted 1500 trees. In 2021, she backed it up with a micro-forest in Watson, Canberra after raising $83,000 from community, business and grants. Since then she has been featured by national media and presented a TedX talk about the potential for micro forests to combat climate change.

But what is a micro forest?

She describes a mirco forest as a "dense pocket of climate-ready native vegetation". No, it's not a collection of miniature bonsai trees, but a 1200 square metre, densely planted forest full of native plants.

"It cools the landscape, provides habitat, enhances well-being and gives hope for the future," she said.

She follows the Miyawaki method - pioneered by famous Japanese botanist Akira Miyawak - to build dense forests of native flora nestled among open spaces and pathways through the trees. Plants are said to grow up to 10 times quicker when planted according to the method.

In 2016, Ms Robinson purchased in Moruya. Since then, she had always dreamt of planting a micro-forest in her home town, but knew planting dense native bush - including Eucalyptus - would create a major fire hazard. The challenge with Moruya, Ms Robinson said, was selecting plants that would create a wonderful and functional micro forest.

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She said the Eurobodalla had a number of endangered vegetation communities, but she struggled to decide what to plant, and how the micro-forest would practically work.

"Then I just had a brainwave," she said. "What about if we did coastal rainforest in this dense planting Miyawaki method in Moruya? It's not a fire hazard, its not eucalyptus"

"So the idea is to create this little rainforest example in Moruya."

She wants to use beautiful native plants and incorporate nature play and local sculptures with fun winding paths amongst dense rainforest so that Moruya locals can utilise and enjoy the space, all while the plants do fantastic work for the climate.

"You get enveloped in this rain forest," she said. "People will want to go there."

So how do the micro forests help with climate change?

In three main ways, according to Ms Robinson.

They help with temperature cooling - "a cool haven on hot days". She said on scorching days, it can be as much as 10 degrees cooler amongst the trees at Australian National Botanic Gardens than in the adjacent concrete carpark. The Moruya micro rainforest will be similar.

Secondly, the project raises awareness about the endangered ecological community. Growing endangered plants helps locals to better care for the species and be motivated to protect them. She hopes an appreciation for the garden will inspire locals to foster garden's in their own backyard.

"Why don't we grow more of these plants at home - in our backyard? And we can do this in small spaces at home," she said.

Finally, the micro forests sequester carbon from the atmosphere. It may be a small amount, but everything makes a difference.

"Obviously this isn't going to solve all the problems of the world, but it gives us hope," Ms Robinson said.

"I don't have grandchildren yet, but I want to be able to say to them, I tried it. I tried to make a difference."

Currently she is searching for a parcel of land in Moruya which would work for a micro forest. She hopes to engage the wider community - feedback from previous projects always references how the united goal brought the community together - about their desires and creative ideas for the project.

And after Moruya? Ms Robinson hopes to inspire citizens all around the nation - the world - to grow their own gardens. She aspires to scale-up, supporting others to create their own local micro forests wherever they may be.