Trees for the Future
 | |
| Founded | 1989 |
|---|---|
| Location | |
Area served | Global |
| Method | Agroforestry, tree-planting |
Employees | 21 |
| Website | http://www.plant-trees.org/ |
Trees for the Future is a Maryland-based nonprofit organization founded in 1989 that helps communities around the world plant trees. Through seed distribution, agroforestry training, and in-country technical assistance, it has empowered rural groups to restore tree cover to their lands, protect the environment and help to preserve traditional livelihoods and cultures for generations.
Overview
Started in 1989 by Grace and Dave Deppner, Trees for the Future works with communities in Central America, South America, Africa and Asia to incorporate tree planting into their agricultural activities.[1]
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Silver Spring, Maryland, Trees for the Future also offers individuals and businesses a form of carbon offset through planting trees.[2]
Its programs help communities replenish their natural resources by providing materials and training to allow farmers to sustainably grow crops for food, fodder, and fuelwood.[3]
Trees for the Future has worked on reforestation efforts in Haiti[4] since 2002.[5] It is currently planting fast-growing Moringa trees which can help restore degraded farmlands.[6] Trees for the Future's Haiti Coordinator, Timote Georges, was featured on Discovery Channel about the organization's work in Haiti working on agroforestry projects to restore degraded land throughout the country.[7]
In 2008, Trees for the Future helped over 200 farmers plant approximately 250,000 forest and fruit trees in Léogâne, the epicenter of the earthquake, and worked with other rural communities. In 2009, due to the organization's increasing network of people on the ground and organizations supporting its work, the Trees for the Future's program had even more success. The organization's Haiti Coordinator, Timote Georges, continues to work with communities along the Arcadine coast to plant trees.[8][9]
The organization to date has planted over 65 million trees worldwide in 30 countries and has served over 11,000 villages around the world. Trees for the Future provides free distance and agroforestry training and education; works in conjunction with over 53 specialists who are experts in agroforestry, community development, sustainable agriculture, land use, livestock management, women in development and youth education; provides in-country seed distribution, and; works on natural resource management.[citation needed]
Trees for the Future created a documentary about its work planting trees called "50 Million Trees and Counting: Trees for the Future".[10]
In February 2010, Maryland Senators Richard Madaleno and Brian Frosh, and Maryland Delegate Al Carr announced Senate resolutions recognizing the 20th anniversary of Trees for the Future and the organization's two decades of global activity restoring degraded lands and cutting carbon emissions through the planting of more than 65 million trees.[11]
Trees for the Future partnered with SodaStream International in 2012 to launch the Replant Our Planet initiative. Sodastream committed to planting ten trees in Brazil for each home beverage carbonation system sold from its Rethink Your Soda product line.[12]
As of 2017, Trees for the Future is working on 14 projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. The group states that their main goal currently is to create "Forest Garden Programs" in Cameroon, Kenya, Senegal, Uganda, and Tanzania.[13]
See also
References
- ^ "Trees for the Future". Charity Navigator. Accessed April 15, 2010.
- ^ Underwood, Kristin. "Trees For the Future: Don't Count Your Footprint, Just Plant a Tree"[permanent dead link]. Treehugger. July 21, 2009.
- ^ Hayden, Erik. "Tree by Tree: Reforesting Haiti"[permanent dead link]. Miller-McCune magazine. January 27, 2010.
- ^ Phillips, Jessi. "Interview: Trees for the Future of Haiti"[permanent dead link]. Sierra Club:The Green Life. April 1, 2010.
- ^ LaFranchi, Howard. "Haiti's pressing need: rain-resistant shelter for 750,000 homeless"[permanent dead link]. Christian Science Monitor. February 9, 2010.
- ^ Tomassini, Jason. "Silver Spring nonprofit planting trees in Haiti"[permanent dead link]. Maryland Gazette. April 7, 2010.
- ^ The Discovery Channel. "EchoHeroes:Timote Georges"[permanent dead link]. Discovery Channel Global Education. March 4, 2010.
- ^ Lewis, Sunny. "Haiti's Few Trees At Risk as Survivors Flee to Rural Areas"[permanent dead link]. Environment News Service. January 26, 2010.
- ^ Interlandi, Jeneen. "A Tree Grows in Haiti". Newsweek. July 16, 2010.
- ^ Deppner, Dave. "50 Million Trees and Counting: Trees for the Future". YouTube. November 30, 2006.
- ^ General Assembly of Maryland "Resolution Trees for the Future"[permanent dead link]. Senate of Maryland: 2010 Regular Session. February 23, 2010.
- ^ Munarriz, Rick Aristotle (22 March 2012). "SodaStream Wants You to Hug a Tree, Drink a Soda". The Motley Fool. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
- ^ "What We Do | Agroforestry | Forest Gardens". Trees For the Future. Retrieved 2017-02-12.