Bristol Community College planted a Miyawaki Grove, on Friday, October 6, next to
the Jackson Arts Center (H building), at the college’s Fall River Campus.
The Miyawaki Method is a unique approach to reforestation, devised by Japanese botanist
Akira Miyawaki, in which tiny forests of indigenous species can grow quickly, within
20 to 30 years, and are much more biodiverse than those planted by conventional methods.
These mini-forests, as small as three-square meters, are ideal for mitigating heat
island effects in “urban concrete jungles” during heatwaves, by cooling land with
their canopies and increasing fresh groundwater retention.
“By creating a demonstration model and educational components for both students and
communities at large, Bristol Community College will be among the first institutions
of higher education in the United States to establish this type of innovative program”,
said Dr. Nancy Lee Wood, Director, Institute for Sustainability and Post-Carbon Education, Bristol Community
College. “The initiative adds to the numerous efforts made at Bristol to address sustainability
issues – particularly as related to regenerative ecological models.”
For more information about Bristol Community College’s Miyawaki Grove initiative,
please email NancyLee.Wood@BristolCC.edu.
Bristol Community College (Bristol) has core values rooted in student success and
lifelong learning. For more than 50 years, Bristol has served as a leading resource
for education and workforce development in the region including locations in Attleboro,
Fall River, New Bedford, Taunton and Online.
The college offers more than 130 career and transfer programs, along with flexible
online offerings that lead to an associate degree, a career-ready certificate, or
the ability to transfer to baccalaureate colleges throughout the state and country.
Bristol’s Business Solutions & Partnerships provides customized training for businesses
and the community. Bristol's National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) is a state-of-the-art
training facility, offering globally recognized training and certifications for the
emerging offshore wind industry. The college also strives to put the needs of learners
first with support services and career advancement opportunities that lead to student
success by reducing barriers to educational access.
The college is one of the largest employers in the region and is dedicated to fostering
an inclusive environment with a rich diversity of beliefs, cultures, languages, abilities
and lifestyles. Bristol is a public community college accredited by the New England
Commission of Higher Education (NECHE).
