The Enchanted Forest is the stuff of fairy tales where you find unique items of natural interest about every 50 feet to keep the enchantment going. Begin your forest journey here...
So let's get this straight. You just saw a warthog, a disappearing deer, a mysterious forest archer, a giant raven, a giant caterpillar, and giant mushrooms but your first question is....
HOW DO YOU PLANT A FOREST?
We are actually really excited about this. There is all this amazing methodology now about how to plant a forest that has evolved out of the devastation in the world. Take a look at the nine layers of a forest.
SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY
We are all beneficiaries of forests from the paper we write on, to the cardboard box we pack in, to the wood studs in our walls. So this garden is where we get to share information about sustainable forestry and reforestation efforts being made around the world; how forests maintain their productivity and vitality, how biodiversity supports wildlife, the amazing capacity of forests to regrow and regenerate (even in the face of disease, pests and fire), how they support healthy soil and clean water and, oh yes, the joy they give.
PLANTING A TREE
There is something about planting a tree. If feels good. It feels fascinating. It feels important. We've all heard stories about someone pointing to a very tall beautiful tree with pride and talking about how they watched their Dad (or Mom) plant it and "look at it now" rising up in the air. Today, fewer and fewer families stay in one spot long enough to watch a tree grow. Which means fewer and fewer children know that thrill of a sapling turning into a majestic tower. We think that experience is important and we want to provide it. There are over a thousand trees on the entire garden property. We have a plan to include as many children as possible in that process so that when they come back to visit over the years they can point to a tree and say, "I was there when they planted that tree. Look at it now!"
Off the Enchanted Forest you are going to have a couple of opportunities to wander through The Enchanted Playground. Could it get any better?
