Simply put, a “microforest” is a patch of land, about the size of a tennis court, densely planted with tree- and shrub species that are or could be native to an urban region, chosen to create “layers” of greenery just like in a natural forest.
These small clusters of native vegetation bring a world of benefits, including better air quality, fighting the urban heat island effect, restoring biodiversity, and providing local residents with space to play in and observe nature up close. This is especially helpful in low-income communities, often far from green spaces and more vulnerable to the effects of pollution.
Shubhendu Sharma of Afforestt describes how he grew a decades-old microforest in his backyard in just a few years, for the price of an iPhone.
There are many databases of native plant species available online that will help you learn more about the natural vegetation in your region.
It’s not a silver bullet against climate change, but a microforest can improve a community’s quality of life in many, measurable and immeasurable ways.