Berkeley, CA, USA

Cragmont Elementary

Outdoor Classrooms for East Bay Students

SUGi partners with schools across the globe to plant ultra-dense, biodiverse forests closer to the classroom. Berkeley, California will be home to the first three Miyawaki School Forests in the United States.

Students at Cragmont Elementary will not only benefit from the direct health effects of urban forests, but learning in nature improves a child’s behaviour, helps them build stronger relationships, reduces stress and anger, and heightens curiosity.

Even seeing nature from a school building fosters creative thinking and expands the imagination.

Today’s kids spend a whopping 44 hours a week in front of a screen and less than 10 minutes a day playing outside. Access to nature is not equal; it’s too often dictated by where you live, your race and income level. These forests will be a big leap forward in resetting the balance.

Forest Maker Ethan Bryson

320

TREES

950

SQUARE FEET

NATIVE SPECIES

The site of Cragmont Elementary forest in Berkeley, California, USA

The pocket forest after 1 year growth

Forest Report: 1 Year

DATE: 16.11.2022

Survival Rate: 98%

Average of Tallest 3 Trees: 365cm

This forest has given students a sense of hope and agency in the face of an alarming acceleration towards the climate crisis. After the planting day last year, students commented: ‘It was the best day of my life.’ Many of the pupils named their plants and, even after a year, still remember exactly which tree they planted and where it was.

The growth of the trees has been exponentially greater than what we could have ever imagined. The forest is now so dense that one can hardly walk through it, and the trees are so tall, you can barely see the tops!

"As the science and climate literacy teacher at Cragmont, it makes me extremely proud to see this tiny project blossoming and bringing so much hope and pure beauty to so many people."

- Neelam Patil, SUGi Forest Maker

Biodiversity Notes:

Prior to planting, the students would run across the site. It was uncared for, discarded, and unhealthy. Now there are ladybugs, butterflies, bees, and the soil is much healthier and full of life. Local hummingbirds - including Anna’s hummingbird (Calypte anna) come for a snack, and the local flora and fauna is making a resurgence in the area.