Huge congratulations to the Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program at Murdoch University!  

They have officially won the 2026 Science Engagement Initiative of the Year at the Premier's Science Awards.

Now in its 25th year, the awards celebrate the very best of WA science. This award highlights the program's incredible work in bringing science to the community and boosting public participation.

Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program

Murdoch University

The Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program is a nationally and internationally recognised hands-on science initiative run by Murdoch University since 2021 that engages school students and the community in planting and studying small, dense native forests.

Students act as citizen scientists, collecting real data on biodiversity, soil attributes and forest success measures. The program has grown from seven forests in 2022 to 22 in 2025, with five new forests in 2026, engaging over 5,200 participants.

It has produced more than 40,000 data points, a peer reviewed paper, and wildlife-supporting habitats. It also influences policy, with ‘pocket forests’ now funded under Western Australia’s ‘Let’s Grow’ grants.