Five Innovative Ways to Give Trees A Hand

By Dakin Hewlett

April 22, 2016

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Photo by iStockphoto/lovelyday12

Earth Day 2016 marks a pivotal moment in the fight against climate change—on April 22, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will join representatives from about 170 countries at the United Nations to sign the Paris Agreement in an effort to keep the global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees Celsius. But if signing a historic international climate agreement isn’t in the cards for you today, don’t worry; the Earth Day Network has announced an equally epic project that everyone can contribute to. In honor of the celebration’s approaching 50th anniversary, the network is challenging people around the world to plant 7.8 billion trees by 2020. So pick up a shovel, or consider participating in the efforts of one of these five organizations working to plant trees all over the world. Because every tree counts.

TOUR DES TREES

STIHL Tour Des Trees is the annual, weeklong 500 to 600 mile cycling event of the Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund (TREE Fund). Since 1992, the Tour des Trees has grown to become the largest fundraiser for tree research and education in the world. Riders cycle to communities in the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada to plant trees, educate children, and shine a light on the work done by arboriculture professionals.

DRONES OR GARDENERS?

The startup company BioCarbon Engineering is on a mission to counter industrial scale deforestation by planting one billion trees a year using drones. Aerial technology will map out areas that need to be restored, carry out precision planting, and monitor ecosystem health over time.

CLOTHES FOR A CAUSE

Looking for a new summer wardrobe? Tentree clothing company will plant ten trees for every item you purchase. By partnering with nonprofits across the world, the company is able to identify and target areas that will benefit most from their reforestation efforts.

URBAN RELEAF

Kemba Shakur founded the nonprofit Urban Releaf in 1998 after she noticed a shortage of trees in her neighborhood and became determined to improve the quality of life in underserved and low-income urban communities. Eighteen years later, Urban Releaf has planted over 15,000 trees and has become one of the preeminent urban forestry groups in the nation.

FRUIT FOR ALL

The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation believes everyone has the right to fresh fruit. The organization plans to plant three fruit trees for every person on the planet by donating orchards to public schools, low-income neighborhoods, and international hunger relief sites.