Mercyhurst faculty and students alongside the ReLeaf Erie initiative have planted 649 trees on their campus, calling it the Tiny Forest.

The project started back in November 2021, and was originally inspired by a Japanese method introduced by botanist Akira Miyawaki.

Tiny forests grow 10 times faster and 30 times denser than most methods by making underground connections with their roots.

"I guess the main goal really is education about the importance of native diversity and the importance of trees in urban areas and at the same time involvement with the community," said Dr. Christopher Dolance, Associate Professor

Dr. Dolance said, he hopes that it will attract native diversity and wildlife to an urban area by being the first tiny forest in the state of Pennsylvania.