Healing Manhattan: Inspiring Community Through NYC’s First Pocket Forest

In 2024, we broke ground on New York City’s first pocket forest: Manhattan Healing Forest. While its biological footprint may be small, its cultural impact has already been significant.

Over 400 people were present at the April planting (which was booked out in 12 hours!), including representatives from the world’s media. The New York Times led coverage, with dozens of other national and international media following — and reaching over 230 million people in just three days. We saw firsthand the growing interest in pocket forests and their effects on both community and environment.

Christina Delfico, founder of iDig2Learn and our partner in creating the forest, noted that “creating this pocket forest is an invitation to understand how rebuilding soil health positively affects the health of all surrounding life. Using this tight-knit planting Miyawaki method to strengthen root connections mirrors how diverse communities can come close together now and do this. After all, New Yorkers understand crowded small spaces and if we can plant it here it can plant it anywhere.”

People planted 40 different species of native plants, including Eastern White Pine, Beach Plum, New York Fern, White Oak, Shagabark Hickory, and Wild Black Cherry. Among those consulted in the species selection process were the indigenous Lenape people, who drew on traditional knowledge and records to identify species that have been present in the region for centuries.

Their presence at the planting also carried historical significance, as the Lenape were forcibly removed from present-day Manhattan in the 1600s. In this way, the Manhattan Healing Forest offers benefits to the local community while also providing a form of reconciliation between the native peoples and those who currently live on the land.

At the planting, Curtis Zunigha, co-founder & co-director of The Lenape Center for the Lenape People, told those gathered, “All of these relatives, all of creation around us, is a living, breathing, spiritual entity as we are as humans. And therefore we gather here today in a healing place to achieve healing and wellness from what’s been done in the past. And let it inspire us through the planting of these trees and the care of this land. To reverse the process of many generations that have threatened the existence and wellness of this land and our collective spirit.”

The forest is in itself a symbol of hope and adaptation, intentionally positioned along the waterfront to prevent flooding, erosion, and pollutant runoff, while improving air quality and offering a sanctuary for people and animals alike.

“The creativity and buzz of life in one of the world's greatest cities can once again burgeon with nutrient-rich diverse life in the soil and a more balanced ecosystem in partnership with nature. The Lenape, whose territory is Lenapehoking, say this place is a good home. Welikia. Creating an urban environment in balance with nature can make it even better. This is our intention with the Manhattan Healing Forest,” said SUGi Forest Maker Ethan Bryson.

Even Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY), who represents the part of New York that includes Roosevelt Island, was present at the planting. He noted the forest’s importance in combating the climate crisis — and the relative lack of green space across the city.

Discover Manhattan Healing Forest.