Plan your yearly Tiny Forest engagement by reviewing our calendar or asking members of your community about special skills they can share in the new year. Is there a fungi enthusiast among you? Up-and-coming poet? Djembe drummer? Tap into the expertise, knowledge and skills that already exist in your community or decide to learn a skill together and use the Tiny Forest to host your workshops. To make sure you have a good time, it is also important to check the health-and-safety and accessibility requirements of your Tiny Forest.

Even though the freezing air feels still, you might still hear wings flapping. Spot and record the UK’s beloved garden birds as part of the RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch taking place in the last week of January. If you are a teacher, parent or have a local school contact, why not engage pupils in the Big School’s Birdwatch and help them learn about and appreciate our flying companions? At this time of the year, food is becoming scarce so make sure you grab some food safe for birds to eat and help them survive winter. You can even think of building a Nest Box for Birds . 

January has a bit of an unsavoury reputation for being a challenging month with  Blue Monday, “the gloomiest day of the year”, falling typically on the third Monday of the month. Don’t let that be the experience for you and your community! Invite your neighbour or family for a walk to the Tiny Forest, share awareness about our flying companions and how birdwatching (and listening!) can help us refocus our attention on the present moment. You can even make a bird gallery out of recycled milk cartons or your own binoculars, using our Education’s team free resources on Things that fly. 

It is important that the Tiny Forest is a safe place to visit. This month task is to check for any health & safety and accessibility issues around the entry, fences and benches in your Tiny Forest. If you have any concerns, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.