Healing Islands
Rewilding Santiago’s Iconic Children’s Hospital.
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Trees
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Native Species
The 'Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital' is one of the most iconic children's public hospitals in Chile.
Immersed in the concrete jungle of Santiago, Symbioticá has broken the cement to bring back Nature’s expression.
These Native Islands are home to local flora, fauna and fungi, and provide medicinal leaves, flowers and fruits for patients, visitors, staff, and the general public.
The healing of the Earth is the healing of humanity. These Native Islands are helping children to recover and stand as a statement of action for the rewilding generation.
Forest Maker
Symbiótica
“The hospital has very interesting places to make Native Islands, or Miyawaki Forests. Conventional green areas will be transformed into forests, an inner cement courtyard will be rewilded, and abandoned and exposed soil will be renewed with micro and macro life. During the plantation, everyone will connect with the healing of Mother Earth and bring the experience back into their everyday life at the hospital.”
Nicolás Corral, Symbiótica
Forest Design
Forest Report: 2023
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Forest Age
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
This project has truly been a lesson in terms of the requirements that are involved with bringing a forest to a public hospital, especially when regarding a team from the beneficiary establishment committed to care.
From the 1 year report until today, we have hosted 2 workshops at the site to help with maintenance, replanting, and applying mulch, to restructure this park into a Miyawaki forest.
The good news is we have noticed the growth of some species that are beginning to dominate in the upper canopy, such as Senna candolleana and Prosopis chilensis. Puya berteroana has also grown, although it is thought that these plants will begin to be suppressed due to the lack of light - a result of the weeds.
Through surveys, we have been able to understand the positive social impact of this forest. The forest is very busy, and in general, people choose to walk through this green space - a testament to the health benefits that Nature and biodiversity bring.
In conclusion, we will continue to engage with the hospital, and educate those caring for the forest by carrying out more workshops to give this little forest another chance at life
Biodiversity Notes:
Forest Report: 2022
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Forest Age
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Survival Rate
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Average of Tallest 3 Trees
This pocket forest is doing well and has really transformed this outdoor area of Luis Calvo Mackenna Hospital. Survival rate is lower than expected but this is due almost exclusively to human factors and highlights the challenges around dealing with third parties when forest making. Gardeners employed by the hospital removed the important mulch layer, along with saplings in certain areas for maintenance works. However, these issues have now been addressed with the necessary authorities and patches where plants have not survived will be replanted.
Still, growth rate of surviving saplings is incredible; a 310cm maximum height illustrates this. A Golden Cassia (Senna candolleana) has flowered this year, and we look forward to this forest bringing more joy to the hospital community in its second year.
Biodiversity Notes:
Forest Report: 2022
0 Months
Forest Age
Planting: November 2021
