Case Study: Miyawaki Forest – Integrating Biochar in a Revolutionary Afforestation Technique

On Earth Day 2024, A.D. Makepeace Companies, in partnership with Sustainable Redbrook, launched an innovative afforestation project in Massachusetts. This project, focused on creating a Miyawaki forest at Redbrook, involves planting over 300 native plants as part of a broader effort to restore depleted land, enhance biodiversity, and increase carbon sequestration. The initiative highlights the collaboration between Standard Biocarbon and Read Custom Soils, combining advanced soil blends with biochar to rejuvenate the local ecosystem.

The Miyawaki method, a forest regeneration technique developed in the 1970s by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is used to create dense, small-scale forests with native species. These “tiny forests” grow rapidly, require minimal maintenance, and significantly improve the local environment by increasing biodiversity. While this method is often applied in urban areas, the Miyawaki Forest at Redbrook is uniquely adapted to the specific conditions of southeastern Massachusetts. The site, previously used as a sales trailer location, is situated next to a natural forest, providing an opportunity to restore the area to its original ecological richness.

In this project, Read Custom Soils incorporated biochar into their soil blend, departing from their standard soil formulations. Biochar, a carbon-rich product derived from organic waste, enhances soil health by improving water retention, supporting microbial activity, and contributing to carbon sequestration. To maximize these benefits, the biochar used in this project was pre-enriched through a process that involves blending it with compost, ensuring that it contributes positively to the soil ecosystem.

The soil blend used at Redbrook, which includes 10% biochar, is designed to replicate the natural soil conditions of the surrounding forest, allowing the Miyawaki Forest to establish itself quickly and thrive.

Beyond its immediate benefits, biochar is crucial for long-term carbon sequestration. When incorporated into the soil, biochar can lock away a significant amount of carbon for centuries, preventing it from re-entering the atmosphere and helping to mitigate climate change.

Addressing Industry Challenges

Soils enriched with Standard Biocarbon’s biochar. Photo by Read Custom Soils. 

The biochar industry has faced challenges in the past, particularly regarding production efficiency and product quality. These challenges have led to issues with cost and reputation, as inconsistent products have sometimes been marketed as biochar despite having a low carbon content. However, recent advancements in production processes have resulted in higher-quality, more consistent biochar products. Standard Biocarbon, through its innovative production techniques, ensures that its biochar is made from consistent feedstock and contains a high carbon content, making it a reliable and effective product for a range of applications.

Project Outcome and Future Directions

The Miyawaki Forest at Redbrook is expected to restore the site to a diverse, natural forest, providing valuable insights for soil scientists, landscape architects, and environmental professionals. The project will be monitored over the coming decades to assess the long-term effectiveness of biochar in forest regeneration. In addition, plans are underway to establish more Miyawaki forests using different methods, each incorporating biochar in various ways to explore the full potential of this innovative material in ecological restoration.

The success of the Miyawaki Forest highlights the transformative potential of biochar in ecological restoration and beyond. As more projects adopt this innovative approach, Standard Biocarbon and Read Custom Soils are positioned at the forefront of a movement that has the potential to revolutionize sustainable land management and contribute significantly to climate action.

For more information, visit [www.standardbiocarbon.com](http://www.standardbiocarbon.com) or contact Standard Biocarbon’s co-founder, Tom Horton [thorton@standardbiocarbon.com](mailto:thorton@standardbiocarbon.com).