Miniforest Miyawaki, Lisbon

Last Saturday 28th of February 2026, a group of 75+ volunteers came together to plant a new Miyawaki forest in the heart of Lisbon. Together we celebrated the last event of this season's European Tree Planting Day initiative. Thanks to the donation of the trees by the Dutch @life terra foundation, neighbours, kids, friends & family planted a dense new urban forest with 20+ native species.

The event was opened by the President of Urbem, Ms Sasi Kandasamy, thanking all involved organisations and volunteers and stressing the importance of local climate action. This was followed by interventions of the President of the Junta de Freguesia de Alvalada, Mr Tomás Gonçalves, who emphasised the vital role of neighbours in both planting and maintaining this new green spot so needed in this neighbourhood and the Deputy Ambassador of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Portugal, Mr Vasco Rodrigues, who explained the importance of urban regreening projects and the collaboration between Dutch and Portuguese organisations in this project. Finally, the founder of Life Terra foundation, Mr Sven Kallen, explained the many Miyawaki forests springing up in & around European cities and how this new one in Lisbon was a great example of joint climate action to help cities become more resilient in the face of fast changing climate conditions.

Swales had been prepared in advance to catch rain water and the soil was prepared with compost. A layer of mulch will be placed the coming days to help against weeds and support water retention. An irrigation system has also been installed to ensure healthy growth of the new trees and bushes.

The participants gave this year's EUTPD campaign a dignified farewell and we aim to be back with more events in even more European countries in next planting season.

Event Organiser:

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