Trees are environmental superheroes. Trees are anchored in creating healthier, safer, and connected communities while keeping this planet safe by absorbing carbon dioxide. Trees clean our air, give off oxygen so we can breathe, filter water, can slow storm surges and flooding, provide shade, and cool our cities. To grow a tree you need soil, sunlight, and moisture. In the case of the global non-profit One Tree Planted you combine this with almost 60 paid staff and thousands of volunteers all around the world who use their tree planting superpowers you will have planted over 40 MILLION trees. I had the honor to interview Kaylee Brzezinski, the Sustainability Maven of One Tree Planted, to learn about this phenomenal organization.
“Between every two pines is a doorway to a new world.” John Muir
In 2014 One Tree Planted founder Matt Hill knew he wanted to take action and do something to help our precious planet. As he thought things through Matt wanted a combination of simplicity and environmental endeavors that would result in positive outcomes. One Tree Planted became his mission where every one dollar donated would equal one tree being planted. Matt’s idea was to keep it simple and make it tangible so it was easy for people to become helpers of nature. When you donate one dollar to One Tree Planted the process begins. They pool the donations and work with partners to grow seedlings into saplings. In rainy seasons trees are planted and monitored. You even receive updates about the impact your donation has made. If you want your tree planted in Asia, you can do that, because you can choose the area you want your tree planted. That is the power and ease of a one dollar tree planting donation to One Tree Planted.
“Trees exhale for us so that we can inhale them to stay alive. Can we ever forget that? Let us love trees with every breath we take until we perish.” Munia Khan
One Tree Planted is pretty much everywhere that trees grow. Currently they plant trees in North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Pacific, yet are always building relationships and partnerships in new areas. They look for how they can ecologically benefit an area while building relationships with people. The people at One Tree Planted bring out the best in each other. They have developed a human ecosystem where positivity, skills, strategy, and thoughtful decisions result in tangible benefits for the environment.
“One touch of nature makes the whole world kin.” William Shakespeare
This deeply rooted organization also works at restoring forests after fires and floods, creating jobs, building communities, and protecting the habitat for wildlife. They are increasing planting trees in urban areas. All trees are natural to the habitat they are planted in. A fact I learned is a tree species from one area could be an invasive species in another area so consideration of the species of tree to be planted is part of the process. Opportunities to support the environment via One Tree Planted exist on many levels. From individuals to businesses, students, educators, and corporate tree planting projects there is a way for you to be part of the forest of One Tree Planted supporters. You can even be a “Tree Ambassador.” Kaylee shared they value the amazing support of people and know none of what they do could be possible without a human forest of helpers.
“The tree is more than first a seed, then a stem, then a living trunk, and then dead timber. The tree is a slow, enduring force straining to win the sky.” Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
April 22 is Earth Day, which is the designated day to show support for environmental protection. One Tree Planted is hosting more than 100 global tree planting events to honor all things trees. Now that they have planted over 40 million trees they are just getting going. There are more trees to plant, more giving back to our precious environment, and more friendships to make. This group is firmly rooted in their mission that they are the change they want to see in the world. They will make a difference in environmental conservation and restoration all over the globe. Over 40 million trees planted reflects that.
With honor and admiration we shine the Kindness Champion spotlight on One Tree Planted. We thank you for being you and bringing your awesome, and lots of trees, to the world.
To learn more about the phenomenal One Tree Planted here is their information:
Website: https://onetreeplanted.org/pages/about-us
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onetreeplanted/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/onetreeplanted
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onetreeplanted/
LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/company/one-tree-planted
