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Exploring the forests we share — from trees and understory plants to mammals, fungi, and soil life — and their relationships with people that sustain healthy ecosystems.
World Wildlife Day (WWD) is celebrated each year to recognize the essential role biodiversity plays in sustaining people and the planet.
Today, biodiversity loss affects livelihoods, cultures, and ecosystems around the world. But solutions begin locally.
Join us on Sunday March 8 at 10:00 AM to explore HOW DO LOCAL ACTIONS CONTRIBUTE TO A HEALTHIER PLANET. We will conclude with a guided walk in Summit's Tiny Forest, experiencing firsthand how this small-scale restoration project, led by the Environmental Commission, is strengthening ecological resilience.
This year’s World Wildlife Day invites us to rediscover the importance of medicinal and aromatic plants — humanity’s oldest healthcare system and a vital part of ecological balance. Plants are the foundation of life on Earth. They sustain ecosystems, support pollinators and wildlife, regulate climate, and connect us to culture, history, and the land beneath our feet.
Plants are essential to global biodiversity.
Nearly 60,000 plant species are used worldwide for medicinal purposes.
One in five people rely on wild plants, algae, and fungi for food and income.
What does this mean for our own community?
How do local actions contribute to a healthier planet?
Come learn, reflect, and explore how global biodiversity connects to our local forests, parks, and backyards — and how each one of us can be part of the solution.
🌱🌏 #WorldWildlifeDay
💻 Hybrid event (in-person & virtual)
📍 Summit Community Center
(100 Morris av., Summit, NJ 07901)
🗓 Sunday 3/8 from 10:00 to 11:30 AM
Check CITES Wildlife TradeView
CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of the species.
The City of Summit Tiny Forest is a multi-layered forest of native plants located on 11,000 square feet behind the Community Center (100 Morris Av., Summit, NJ). It was planted using the Miyawaki Method and is designed to become self-sustaining after two to three years and fully developed in 20 to 30 years.
More than 50 native species of trees, shrubs, and flowers are rooted in the Tiny Forest. These plants will ultimately provide decades of important environmental benefits including:
Enhanced biodiversity and wildlife habitat
Stormwater absorption and improved water quality
Carbon capture and cooler microclimates
A Community-Powered Project
The Tiny Forest began with a grant from NJ American Water, along with support from the Summit Conservancy, and was designed and planted by volunteers, Environmental Commission (EC) members, and city staff.
Since its ribbon-cutting in April 2022, community volunteers have continued to care for the forest through activities like weeding, watering, mulching, and guiding pathways.
Volunteers also collect seeds from forest plants each year to stock the Native Seed Library at the Summit Free Public Library, helping extend its ecological reach into local gardens and yards.
Indigenous Medicine Garden
The Tiny Forest is located on land that is part of the traditional territory of the Lenni-Lenape. The Lenape lived in harmony with one another upon this territory for thousands of years.
The Indigenous Medicine Garden is located immediately to the right upon entering the Tiny Forest. It contains native plant species that the Lenape used for medicinal purposes. These plants could provide relief for ailments ranging from headaches, dental issues, and digestive issues to sore throats, coughs, and fevers.
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