LMU Biology Professor Awarded Grant to Lead Global Micro-forest Summit

Demian Willette, associate professor of biology at Loyola Marymount University, is on a mission to bring micro-forests to asphalt-covered schoolyards across Los Angeles. Micro-forests are small, dense forests of native plants and trees that are planted in urban areas to support biodiversity, reduce urban heat islands, and improve local air quality.

Taking steps to make his vision a reality, Willette - who planted and maintains a micro-forest in LA's Ascot Hills Park -was awarded a$40,000 grant from The Borchard Foundation Center on International Education to host an International Colloquium in France this summer to discuss best practices for micro-forest implementation with other global experts.

With this grant, Willette is leading a four-day seminar that brings together micro-forest scientists from both sides of the Atlantic, including France, Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States.

"Europe is about 15 years ahead of the U.S. in micro-forests," said Willette. "There is so much we can learn from our European counterparts. I'm excited to discuss their successes and failures and bring these lessons back to LA and incorporate it into my work with LMU students."

In addition to creating a space for meaningful conversation among experts, Willette also invited leadership from Los Angeles Unified School District to brainstorm ways to get micro-forests into schoolyards. Typically, LA schoolyards have limited green spaces and tons of asphalt, leading to scorching asphalt temperatures and dangerous conditions for students.

"Micro-forests in schoolyards are an innovative way to provide shade and reduce heat risk," Willette said. "France has been an early adopter of micro-forests in their asphalt covered schoolyards and they've seen positive benefits. Their expertise is going to be invaluable for this project, while our U.S. participants will be key in strategizing ways to adapt micro-forests into Southern California's Mediterranean style climate."

After the colloquium, Willette and his fellow attendees will write a peer-reviewed scientific paper on their recommended strategies for micro-forest integration into urban schoolyards to help others in the field.