The UW Tacoma MicroForest

What is the MicroForest?

Situated on campus between the Dougan (DOU) and Pinkerton (PNK) buildings, what is currently a monoculture of turf grass will soon be transformed into a biodiverse plethora of native species that both provides for the environment by assisting pollinators, and for the public by creating an inviting recreational area and accessible green space.

There are 3 primary elements to this space that we hope to realize, those being:

1. A Microforest, which is a densely and diversly populated area with many trees, bushes, and other native species that create a small but immersive bustling forest.
2. A Microprairie, which is an area of short plants like native flowers and grasses that are vital for pollinators. We will be especially using the edible Camas species for this.
3. A Third Place, which is a common social gathering and recreational space distinct from the home ("first place") and the workplace ("second place").

We also wish to use this space to tell a story. Specifically, the rich history of the area, its peoples, its environment, and its importance.

Upcoming Event! Plant a Tree!

On Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 9am-12pm, the City of Tacoma will be hosting its annual Green Tacoma Day celebration for various community entities to participate in appreciating the environment. The UW Tacoma campus will participate in this event by hosting a volunteer planting day to physically start the MicroForest project, as well as hold an educational tour of the area as it pertains to environmental and demographic history in Tacoma.

*REGISTER HERE*

Why is this Important?

• Biodiversity
  Having a large variety of plants is critically important for maintaining pollinator species. Monocultures, which occur when one or few species dominate the ecosystem such as in turf grass lawns or ivy takeovers, have been shown to reduce the populations of pollinator species such as bees, birds, and other insects by at least 30% in most cases and up to 100% in some cases.


• Urban Health
  Urban residents tend to be more estranged from nature and especially accessible green spaces for peace and recreation. This can take a toll on mental health, especially in tandem with other environmental effects of living in a city such as noise and air pollution. This emphasizes the importance of urban forestry, and it has been shown that having accessible green space in a city can reduce psychological distress among urban communities by as much as 50%.


• Canopy Coverage
  The City of Tacoma has a uniquely low tree canopy coverage percentage compared to all other cities around the Puget Sound at only 20% overall coverage vs Seattle at 28% or Bellevue at 37%. Canopy coverage is crucial for diffusing heatwaves, whereas large amounts of concrete and pavement being exposed directly to the sun can create heat sinks which greatly exacerbate the effects of heatwaves. Canopy coverage is also effective at diffusing noise pollution and cutting down on air pollution, whilst providing space for larger species such as birds.

Learn more here!

The History of the Area

The area of our microforest is a rich microcosm of the city's environmental, industrial, and demographic history.

The area is near to the tide flats of Tacoma which were dense camas prairies in the Puyallup nation that helped fuel the rich trade of the Coast Salish Tribes. But during the period of manifest destiny, the tide flats were turned into the western terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad and became one of the largest marine ports in the country, and one of the areas of least vegetation due to the amount of concrete used. The railroad then fueled the timber industry in the area, and entities such as the Hudson's Bay Company quickly started to acquire and deforest the land, creating the legacy of low canopy coverage that exists today.

Although manifest destiny primarily ushered in peoples of European descent, the development of the railroad itself employed many migrant workers from China which led to them also taking up residence in what is now downtown Tacoma. However, after Chinese workers started to enter other industries, anti-Chinese sentiment began to rise rapidly, culminating in the Tacoma Riot of 1885. This created a Chinese exodus from the area wherein many were forced to march to the train station departing for Portland, OR and Tacoma's Chinatown was completely destroyed by arsonists in the aftermath.

Afterward, to replace many of the lost workers, Japanese immigrants arrived and took up residence in downtown Tacoma. In fact, the Pinkerton building (PNK), which is the oldest building in the entire UW tricampus, was originally a hotel that the Japanese had lodged in. Close by on Fawcett St. there was also the Japanese language school that marked the cultural heart of "Japantown" or Nihonmachi. This community lasted well until the 1940s, wherein Executive Order 9066 decreed the internment of Japanese Americans, and many were forcibly removed from the area with few returning after war time. In the present day, the concrete steps of the Japanese language school are all that remain of the building.

More Tacoma Timber History

UW Tacoma's Milgard Hall (MLG) is intentionally constructed out of more timber than most other buildings typically are; it can be seen in the ceilings, furnishings, and support beams all around. The purpose of this is to practice and demonstrate more sustainable building practices, using regenerative building material as opposed to concrete, as well as reference Tacoma's deep history with the timber industry. A corner of the bottom floor of the building is dedicated to showcasing this and contains a series of historical photographs etched into wooden panels depicting key moments from the history of Tacoma's timber industry. The showcase also contains 2 oars and a land acknowledgement carved from cedar wood, an indigenous material with major cultural significance to the Puyallup Tribe.

Learn more about the timber display and Puyallup connections of Milgard Hall

Learn more about the construction of Milgard Hall as a building