Armchair Do-gooder: Feed the Tree
It’s national Arbor Day, so I thought I’d put together a little piece on trees.
If you’re more comfortable gardening from your armchair, there are a number of organizations that offer opportunities to virtually plant trees. Choose the one that’s right for you!
First and foremost, today only, plant a tree in the Michoacan Monarch Butterfly Forest for free with your order when you shop the Greater Good Network. Every order placed on Friday, April 27th will automatically generate a contribution to pay for the planting of a tree through the Michoacan Reforestation Fund.
Jewish National Fund: A charitable organization specializing in the development of Israeli land and infrastructure, especially planting trees. JNF has planted over 240 million trees, built over 180 dams and reservoirs, developed over 250,000 acres of land, created more than 1,000 parks throughout Israel and educated students around the world about Israel and the environment.
Get On Board Initiative: Universal Pictures and The Conservation Fund have teamed up to launch the Get On Board Initiative (as part of a promotion for the upcoming Universal release Evan Almighty). The website, which is now live, features the “Almighty Forest,” an online destination where people can take real action to slow the effects of global warming. For a donation of $5, visitors can plant a virtual tree in the “Almighty Forest,” knowing that 100% of the money goes to The Conservation Fund to plant real trees that help reduce greenhouse gases around the globe. Donations, which are tax-deductible in the U.S., can be in the donor’s name, given as a gift or dedicated in memory of a friend or family member. Trees can be acquired individually, in “groves” of 50, or as a “forest within the forest,” with a donation equaling 1,000 trees.
The Plant-A-Tree-Today (PATT) Foundation: Formed in 2005 with its mission to react to problems caused by the massive and increasing levels of deforestation worldwide, raise awareness of environmental issues and the role forests play, take action against climate change, educate children on these issues and to PLANT MORE TREES. Select the projects you’re interested in and make a contribution here.
If you’re not afraid of getting your hands dirty, you might want to check out the United Nations Environment Programme’s “Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign.” A major worldwide tree planting project, the campaign encourages people, communities, business and industry, civil society organizations and governments to enter tree planting pledges online with the objective of planting at least one billion trees worldwide during 2007. The site offers information on how to plant a tree here.
In Los Angeles, get involved with TreePeople, a nonprofit organization that’s been serving the Los Angeles area for over three decades. Volunteer to help them plant 300,000 trees on city park lands over the next few years, and join TreePeople staff and volunteers this May for planting and tree care events. There are all kinds of ways to get involved, from full moon hikes to workshops. Visit their calendar to stay informed.
In San Francisco, reach out to Friends of the Urban Forest, a nonprofit committed to the belief that trees are a critical element of a livable urban environment. Donate, dedicate a tree, or get involved as a volunteer.
Further Listening: Belly, Star, “Feed the Tree”
Further Reading: The Giving Tree
April 27th, 2007 at 4:13 pm
You are amazing! That is such an informative posting. Thanks.
April 27th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Marketplace’s Morning Report had the following piece this morning re: the palm tree controversy taking root (har har) in Los Angeles at the moment: http://marketplace.publicradio.org/shows/2007/04/27/AM200704271.html
In the summer of 2000, I worked one of those all-summer teen trips to Israel. We took our 150 kids to a beautiful, scenic hillside one afternoon just outside of Jerusalem and, thanks to the great folks at the JNF, planted 150 new trees. Then we loaded our kids back onto the buses and sent then off down the hill, while we counselors stayed behind…and uprooted 150 newly planted trees.
It seems the JNF has been so successful at collecting donations worldwide for tree-planting efforts in the Land in the Milk & Honey that they haven’t the land necessary to plant every tree ordered. Needless to say, our kids would have been crushed had they’d known what’d actually gone down, so we kept mum, but now you know.
So send JNF your dough; just don’t spend too many idle afternoons picturing your tree awash in the sunny breeze outside of Jerusalem.
Oh, and Belly’s “Feed the Tree” rocks!
April 28th, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Wow, that’s nuts. I had no idea about JNF. Wish they would take their moolah and know-how and plant trees in other countries. Their water projects seem pretty awesome, any thoughts/inside info on those?
October 28th, 2007 at 1:53 pm
I’m so glad that your “Feed the Tree” title actually referred to Belly - I LOVED that song back in the day (and still do). I also love the canned food drive birthday idea. amazing!
August 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 am
Naruto Shippuden Episode 33