SUGi Pocket Forests: Powered by People

SUGi’s restoration work stretches from Australia to Brazil, Cameroon to India. But no matter where in the world we plant a pocket forest, its success depends on one thing: the people who care for it.

Stewards — local residents who know the land intimately — are the heartbeat of every forest we grow. From the moment the first saplings go into the ground, these community members nurture the trees, learn their rhythms, and become deeply attuned to the life taking root.

Over weeks, months, and even years they track growth with care. They notice how a once-empty lot grows cooler with the presence of trees, how butterflies return, and birds nest again. They gather data by being present: measuring temperature drops, observing species long thought gone, and noticing subtle shifts that no technology could ever capture.

It’s this deep connection — hands-in-the-soil, day-after-day stewardship — that makes pocket forests more than green dots on a map. Local residents don’t need to rely on fancy tools to tell them if something is failing or flourishing. By being there, day after day, they gain a depth of real time information that helps transform saplings into living, thriving ecosystems.

In just six years, SUGi has planted nearly 250 forests across more than 50 cities. But we didn’t do it alone. We owe every thriving forest to the communities who give them life.

To the stewards who show up, dig deep, and grow wild alongside them: thank you. Without you, our vision of restoring biodiversity, greening cities, and reimagining urban life wouldn’t be possible.