Why are scientists planting tiny forests in big cities?
6/2/202612 min
Healthy forests help combat climate change, provide humans with drinking water and even improve mental and physical health. But it’s hard to imagine an entire forest in the middle of a big city. That’s where micro-forests come into play — public forests on a smaller scale, filled with native plants. They exist around the world, and producer Rachel Carlson went to visit the largest micro-forest in California in this encore episode. She joins host Emily Kwong to chat about what she saw.
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First 90 secondsEmily Kwong· Host0:00
This message comes from Takeoff by IXL. For twenty-five years, IXL has been listening to educators describe the same challenge with traditional textbooks. They can't meet each student where they are. That's why IXL created Takeoff, a K through five core math curriculum that continuously differentiates learning for every student. The curriculum is built on a digital platform with lesson plans, adaptive practice, assessments, and real-time insights. Learn more at takeoffbyixl.com. You're listening to Short Wave from NPR. Hey, Short Wavers, Emily Kwong here, and today I have a treat for you. We are going to a micro forest. If you've never heard of one, they are small, they are lush, and unlike natural forests, micro forests are designed entirely by humans for urban environments. And producer Rachel Carlson went to visit one in Los Angeles recently. Hey, Rachel.
Rachel Carlson0:54
I did. Hey, it was amazing. I had the most fun day ever. I hung out with two scientists who've dedicated themselves to planting these tiny forests to cool down cities and make them more resilient to climate change.
Emily Kwong· Host1:08
Okay, where did you go to see a micro forest?
Rachel Carlson1:10
Ascot Hills Park, which is a park in Northeast Los Angeles. It's surrounded by freeways and interstates. It's not too far from the heart of downtown LA, so it's not really an area that I typically associate with lots of green space, but- You pull off the freeway and drive this way, and you see a green stamp of ten thousand square