Highland Park, Detroit (FUA), United States
City population: 4048421
Duration: 2022 – 2024
Implementation status: Completed
Scale: Sub-microscale: Street scale (including buildings)
Project area: 9105.4 m2
Type of area: Previous derelict area, Residential, Vacant or abandoned land
Last updated: October 2024

The Therapy Forest project in Nolan, Detroit, initiated in 2022 and completed in 2024, represents a step forward in urban renewal and ecological restoration, led by Rescue MI Nature Now (RMNN) and local volunteers. RMNN, founded in 2019, aims to transform vacant lots in the Nolan neighborhood—an area heavily impacted by the mortgage lending crisis—into green spaces that combat urban decay. The Therapy Forest, a 2.25-acre site, is designed as an accessible, restorative environment inspired by the Japanese practice of “Shinrin-Yoku,” or forest bathing, which encourages individuals to engage with nature through all their senses. This project not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood but also serves as a habitat for native plants and pollinators, such as goldenrod and honeybees. Through a participatory planning and design process, RMNN has actively involved community members, particularly youth, in the development and ongoing maintenance of the forest. The project includes flowering beds, perennial gardens, and other landscaping features aimed at creating a serene and therapeutic environment. The Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund provided key financial support, recognizing the project's potential to transform neighborhood decay into a green space that serves both ecological and social purposes. The Therapy Forest is expected to become a communal asset, offering hands-on learning opportunities for local students while also providing a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors. By converting over 2.25-acre of vacant land, RMNN’s Therapy Forest stands as a model for how urban areas can reclaim unused spaces, fostering resilience, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. This initiative not only revitalizes the Nolan neighborhood but also serves as a beacon of hope and renewal, demonstrating the impact of green spaces on urban communities. (Ref.1-4)

Rescue Mi Forest
Rescue Mi Forest
https://www.seenthemagazine.com/businesses/nonprofits/rescue-mi-nature-now-is-turning-blight-to-beauty/article_42604656-6b19-11ef-8995-ffa1e5e330f4.html

Overview

Nature-based solution

  • Parks and urban forests
  • Large urban parks or forests

Key challenges

  • Green space, habitats and biodiversity (SDG 15)
  • Green space creation and/or management
  • Habitat and biodiversity restoration
  • Regeneration, land-use and urban development
  • Promote natural styles of landscape design for urban development
  • Health and well-being (SDG 3)
  • Creation of opportunities for recreation
  • Inclusive and effective governance (SDG 16)
  • Inclusive governance
  • Social justice, cohesion and equity (SDG 10)
  • Social justice and equity
  • Environmental education
  • Sense of community and community engagement

Principal problems in Functional Urban Area (FUA)

  • Environmental Degradation
  • Biodiversity loss
  • Soil degradation and loss
  • Land use and Socio-economic change
  • Unequal availability and access to public green spaces
  • Health, Well-being and Social cohesion
  • Disconnection from nature
  • Poor community engagement

Key priorities

Biodiversity (conservation and/or restoration), Social Justice and community

Focus

Creation of new green areas, Creation of large parks and urban and peri-urban forests, Maintenance and management of urban nature, Urban reforestation, restoration of street trees, Transformation of previously derelict areas, Transformation of vacant land into green spaces, Knowledge creation and awareness raising, Educational and awareness raising programs, Improved governance of green or blue areas, Establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms involving local communities

Project objectives

To transform vacant lots into green spaces, addressing urban decay and improving the aesthetic appeal of the Nolan neighborhood. To establish a 2.25-acre forest that serves as a habitat for native plants and pollinators, such as goldenrod and honeybees, thereby contributing to local biodiversity and environmental health. To actively involve local residents, particularly youth, in the planning, design, and maintenance of the Therapy Forest, fostering a sense of ownership and providing hands-on learning opportunities related to sustainability and environmental stewardship. To create a serene, accessible environment inspired by the Japanese practice of “Shinrin-Yoku” or forest bathing, allowing residents and visitors to experience the restorative benefits of nature. To enhance the quality of life for longtime residents without driving gentrification, ensuring that improvements serve the existing community by providing valuable recreational and educational resources. (Ref.1-4)

Implementation activities

Rescue MI Nature Now (RMNN) initiated the Therapy Forest project by acquiring over 40 parcels of vacant land within the Nolan neighborhood. The first phase involved clearing these parcels of debris, remnants of demolished buildings, and invasive species to prepare the land for development. To ensure community involvement, RMNN conducted a participatory planning process that engaged local residents, including youth, in the design of the Therapy Forest. Workshops and community meetings were held to gather input and foster a sense of ownership among residents. During the construction phase, the site design included pathways, flowering beds, and perennial gardens, trees. Native plants were carefully selected to support local pollinators, and the landscaping was designed to create a serene, restorative environment. Additionally, the project included the installation of amenities such as benches, signage, and accessible pathways to enhance the usability and comfort of the Therapy Forest for visitors. (Ref.1-4)

Biodiversity conservation or restoration-focused activities

Biodiversity restoration:

  • Rehabilitate and restore damaged or destroyed ecosystems
  • Restore native species
  • Clear and control invasive alien species
  • Public engagement

Main beneficiaries

  • Citizens or community groups
  • Young people and children
  • Marginalized groups: Children, young people or youth groups

Governance

Management set-up

  • Led by non-government actors

Type of initiating organisation

  • Non-government organisation/civil society

Participatory approaches/ community involvement

  • Co-planning (e.g. stakeholder workshops, focus groups, participatory mapping)
  • Dissemination of information and education
  • Consultation (e.g. workshop, surveys, community meetings, town halls)
  • Joint implementation (e.g. tree planting)

Details on the roles of the organisations involved in the project

Rescue MI Nature Now (RMNN) is the primary organization driving the Therapy Forest project, overseeing its planning, fundraising, and implementation. Partnering with RMNN, the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA) provided the land necessary for the project. Local volunteers, including individuals and community groups, have also played a crucial role in the project’s development, contributing their time and efforts to bring the vision to life. Several key funding partners supported the project through the Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund in 2022, providing a total of $1.6 million in grant funding to seven projects, including the Therapy Forest. These partners include the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the Bezos Earth Fund, Cleveland-Cliffs, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service. (Ref.1-4)

Project implemented in response to ...

... an EU policy or strategy? Unknown
... a national policy or strategy? Unknown
... a local policy or strategy? Unknown

Type of enablers

NGOs/Community groups driving the implementation, Funds, subsidies or investment for GI/NBS in the city (available for the city or provided by the city)

Financing

Total cost

Unknown

Source(s) of funding

  • Public national budget
  • Private Foundation/Trust

Type of funding

  • Earmarked public budget
  • Direct funding (grants, subsidies, or self-financed projects by private entities)

Non-financial contribution

Type of non-financial contribution
  • Provision of labour
  • Provision of expertise
Who provided the non-financial contribution?
  • Citizens (e.g. volunteering)

Impacts and Monitoring

Environmental impacts

  • Green space and habitat
  • Increased green space area
  • Achieved increased green space area
  • Enhanced support of pollination
  • Achieved enhanced support of pollination
  • Restoration of derelict areas
  • Achieved restoration of derelict areas

Economic impacts

  • Generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)
  • Achieved generation of other type of work opportunities (e.g. voluntary, work for rehabilitation)

Socio-cultural impacts

  • Social justice and cohesion
  • Improved access to urban green space
  • Expected improved access to urban green space
  • Increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
  • Expected increased involvement of locals in the management of green spaces
  • Cultural heritage and sense of place
  • Improvement in people’s connection to nature
  • Expected improvement in people’s connection to nature
  • Education
  • Increased knowledge of locals about local nature
  • Expected increased knowledge of locals about local nature

Type of reported impacts

Presence of formal monitoring system

Unknown

Presence of indicators used in reporting

No evidence in public records

Presence of monitoring/ evaluation reports

No evidence in public records

Availability of a web-based monitoring tool

No evidence in public records

Potential risks of implementation and trade-offs

Unknown

References

1.
Rescue MI Nature Now (n.d.). FOREST THERAPY. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
2.
Kelly, E. (2022). Tapping into people power to plant trees on vacant neighborhood land. Outlier Media, Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
3.
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (2022). Southeast Michigan Resilience Fund Awards $1.6 Million to Improve Community and Habitat Resilience. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
4.
Hanna, J. (2022). DEPARTMENTAL SUBMISSION. Detroit Land Bank Authority, Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
5.
Niche (n.d.). Nolan Residents. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
6.
Homes.com (n.d.). About Nolan. Accessed on September 24, 2024, [Source link];
Rescue Mi Forest
Rescue Mi Forest
https://www.seenthemagazine.com/businesses/nonprofits/rescue-mi-nature-now-is-turning-blight-to-beauty/article_42604656-6b19-11ef-8995-ffa1e5e330f4.html
Workshop at Therapy Forest
Workshop at Therapy Forest
SEEN Magazine
Aerial view of Therapy Forest
Aerial view of Therapy Forest
SEEN Magazine
Rescue Mi Forest
Rescue Mi Forest
https://www.seenthemagazine.com/businesses/nonprofits/rescue-mi-nature-now-is-turning-blight-to-beauty/article_42604656-6b19-11ef-8995-ffa1e5e330f4.html
Rescue Mi Forest
Rescue Mi Forest
https://www.seenthemagazine.com/businesses/nonprofits/rescue-mi-nature-now-is-turning-blight-to-beauty/article_42604656-6b19-11ef-8995-ffa1e5e330f4.html
naturescapes bannerInformation about this nature-based solution was collected as part of the Naturescapes project funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No 101084341.