360 Pre-Production

For the 360 VR project, we have acquired additional footage for our video. We filmed and took pictures of the empty grass lot across the street from the sustainability center so that we could show where CSUN was hoping to grow the school's first microforest and perhaps show what it could look like. We add this to the already filmed footage of the microforest near Griffith Park. What we are doing from here on is editing the footage to make it look cleaner while also just compiling the footage into our video to have the full sequence ready. We are also preparing a few images and graphics to possibly put into the project as well, one that we have put in already being the logo that was created for the microforest project by our other group partners. We are also closing in on a way to record someone or something reading the script for the video.

Microforest Scripts

Narrator: Welcome to the Bette Davis Picnic area, where a micro forest has been planted to combat the effects of urbanization on our environment. This small-scale forest ecosystem is home to a variety of native plant species, attracting insects, birds, and other wildlife to the heart of the city. As you explore the micro forest, you'll notice the air feels fresher and cooler, thanks to the trees and vegetation absorbing carbon dioxide and other pollutants. This oasis in the city offers a peaceful retreat for residents and visitors alike, reminding us of the importance of preserving our natural environment even in urban areas.

You are seeing a Miyawaki forest, a kind of artificial forest that Botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki invented in Japan in the 1970s. Miyawaki noted that forests with high levels of biodiversity or resilience were not produced by the conventional approach of regeneration, which involved planting a single type of tree in rows. In order to emulate the local environment, he created a novel technique that required planting a variety of native trees in small patches. He named this technique "potential natural vegetation." The trees would eventually develop into a thick forest with numerous strata and a variety of plant and animal species. Miyawaki forests are now utilized in several nations to improve degraded land and boost biodiversity.

At California State University Northridge, their Sustainability Center plans to grow the campus’ first microforest. The idea is to give exposure to micro forests by having it in an area where there is constant foot traffic and educate more students on the importance of Micro Forests and their potential benefits to the environment of CSUN. The Sustainability Center hopes to, in turn, grow popularity and passion towards micro forests.