Barlow Street Forest is one of a series of projects realised by the Dirt Witches, a cross-disciplinary community of environmental and climate activists. Inspired by the microforest movement, this artwork aligns with local and international actions to establish fast growing, dense and biodiverse plantings. Complex ecosystems and nature conservation are key to meeting climate goals.

This tiny forest is made up of a wide variety of local species to mimic the layers of an endemic ecosystem in the middle of our urban environment. The installation incorporates plants belonging to the critically endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub and coastal swamp forests that once existed in inner and eastern Sydney. It serves as a poetic reminder of the 5,300 hectares of scrub that once stretched between Botany Bay and North Head.

The forest was first created in 2020 as one of four temporary artworks that aimed to re-activate the city during the Covid pandemic. It became a permanent feature of the City of Sydney in 2023. The intiative aligns with the international science based micro-forest movement to establish plantings that are fast growing, dense and biodiverse. The creation of these ecosystems are key to meeting climate goals.