How Pocket Forests Are Bringing Nature and Better Health to Urban Communities

Nature and urban spaces may seem in opposition to each other, but a coalescence of the two can lead to greater well-being - for us, for future generations, and for the overall planet.

Through a growing partnership with SUGi, a nonprofit that's redefining how nature can exist and thrive within urban environments, the Life Time Foundation has helped fund and plant five biodiverse pocket forests in major cities across the United States since 2024. These nature-rich spaces support community health and well-being, environmental learning, and a connection with the natural world.

"Trees clean our air and water," explains Valeria La Rosa, program director for the Life Time Foundation, Life Time's nonprofit arm. "They cool our cities and even help reduce stress and anxiety by creating spaces where people can slow down, connect with nature, and spend time outdoors - all of which are proven to support mental well-being. At Life Time Foundation, we see these pockets forests as more than environmental solutions - they're an investment in healthier people, a healthier planet, and a healthier way of life for generations to come."

What is a pocket forest?

Pocket forests are ultra-dense plantings of native and biodiverse trees and plants in urban spaces. They're usually no bigger than a tennis court or a small park.

"The pocket forest concept was driven by one main idea: 'How can we bring wild nature closer to where we live and work? How can anyone anywhere have access to biodiversity?'" explains Elise Van Middelem, founder and CEO of SUGi. "This is the idea upon which SUGi was built."

Founded in 2019, SUGi is a global impact organization focused on greening cities and reimagining urban life through a triangulation of biodiversity, climate resilience, and well-being. The nonprofit has been active all over the world, including throughout the United States, as well as in cities like Beirut, Lebanon, and London.

The work to create a pocket forest begins with the soil on a small plot of land. "Starting with the surface, we bring natural ingredients back into the soil to make it healthy, and then we plant densely," Van Middelem says.

That dense planting is key: On 2,000 square feet of land, for instance, they may plant more than 600 trees.

SUGi also leverages the Miyawaki Method, a means of afforestation to create 100 percent organic, dense, and diverse pioneer forests; it mimics the way a forest would recolonize itself if humans stepped away.

"With that planting density comes this incredible communication between the plants both under the ground and above the ground - the plants start to compete for light," Van Middelem adds. "They figure out how to thrive together, and in three years, the pocket forest becomes self-sustaining."

Since Miyawaki pocket forests are quick to establish, are maintenance-free after the first two to three years, and can be created on sites as small as 9 square meters, they are viable solutions for cities looking to rapidly build climate resilience. "We're not just planting trees," says Van Middelem. "We're planting micro-ecosystems."

Another important element is incorporating Indigenous knowledge into the planting of native species. "Our pocket forests are planted in partnership with the community, which often involves the local Indigenous community as they're the original stewards of the land," she says. "It's an incredibly layered project."

Partnering to Make a Bigger Impact

The creation of pocket forests represents more than an environmental task; it's a strategic effort to create long-term community benefits. "Our pocket forests not only bring shade equity and cooling to schools and cities, but also restore the human-nature connection," says Van Middelem.

Sarah Emola, senior director of the Life Time Foundation and Life Time's environmental, social, and governance programs says these benefits are essential for human health and wellness. "Our partnership with SUGi reflects a shared belief that access to nature should be part of everyday life, not a privilege. By combining their holistic approach to urban greening with our mission to support community health, we're able to bring these biodiverse ecosystems to life in places that need them most. It's about more than planting trees; it's about creating community-driven spaces that foster connection, resilience, and well-being."

Together, the organizations identify pocket forest sites in urban communities where increased tree canopy and green space can deliver the greatest benefit. While locations are typically within driving distance of a Life Time destination to support team member and member engagement, site selection is guided first by community need.

"That proximity allows Life Time members and team members to volunteer alongside local residents," notes La Rosa, "but the focus is always on planting where nature is needed most."

Since 2024, the Life Time Foundation and SUGi have planted pocket forests in Minneapolis, Minn., Phoenix, Ariz., Seattle, Wash., Bronx, New York, and Detroit, Mich. Collectively, these projects have transformed more than 14,355 square feet of land, planting 5,093 native trees across 144 species. Highlights include the following:

• Northside Healing Forest (Minneapolis, Minn.): 3,990 square feet; 1,400 trees; 38 native species; and 200 youth impacted.
• Montecito School Forest (Phoenix, Ariz.): 4,000 square feet; 1,400 trees; 30 native species; engagement of 143 students and 40 volunteers.
• Robert Eagle Staff Forest (Seattle, Wash.): 3,000 square feet; 1,000 trees; 40 native species; strong student participation and 100+ volunteers.
• Mount St. Michael Forest (Bronx, New York): 4,155 square feet; 1,533 trees; 36 native species; serves a historically underserved urban community.
• Kintsugi Village Forest (Detroit, Mich.): 3,200 square feet; 1,160 trees; 38 native species; engagement of 100 volunteers and recognition of Indigenous stewardship practices.

Once a pocket forest is planted, the hope is that it evolves into a shared community resource that fosters environmental literacy, stewardship, and a connection with nature. At school-based sites, these forests may also serve as outdoor learning environments for students. "These pocket forests can be a tool for school curriculum," says Van Middelem. "In addition to countless physical and mental benefits, it's wonderful to see children act as stewards of a forest they may have helped build themselves - and have fun doing it."

The Life Time Foundation and SUGi remain partnered and are currently locating sites for future pocket forests in 2026 and beyond.

"SUGi pocket forests are magnets for human connection," says Van Middelem. "Once they're planted, they're there for the community. It's the synergy of healthy people and a healthy planet. When I look back at the pictures of the Life Time communities planting these forests, you just can feel the joy, the beauty, and the nature connectedness that is being brought back. It's an incredible intricate weaving."