Now in its 25th year, the Premier's Science Awards recognises and celebrates the outstanding scientific research and engagement taking place in Western Australia.
The Science Engagement Initiative of the Year award recognises an initiative that has made an outstanding contribution to community awareness, interest and/or participation in science in Western Australia.
We celebrate the work of Miyawaki Forest Outreach Program at Murdoch University as our Science Engagement Initiative of the Year 2026 winner.
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.
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