Daily CSR
Daily CSR

Daily CSR
Daily news about corporate social responsibility, ethics and sustainability

Arbor Day Foundation planted more than 500,000 trees in the United States in 2022



03/01/2023


The Arbor Day Foundation announced a focus on planting trees in low-income neighborhoods in the United States and around the world in 2022. More than 500,000 trees have found new homes in urban areas across 175 cities, all 50 states, and 16 other countries as a result of these efforts. According to the new year-end data, there were 535 successful community tree plantings in total, which is more than any other year in the Foundation's history.

Every single tree is important to us.

To maximize the impact of our trees, we collaborate with a large network of planting partners. These community organizations are critical in determining what type of tree will best meet the needs of each community. We assist our planting partners in establishing consistent maintenance and management to ensure the trees thrive once they are planted. Members of the community are also taught how to care for the trees they choose to take home. We’re excited our network tree champions is growing fast, with nearly 150 partners in 2022.

These trees, while lovely, serve a purpose other than decoration. They are transformational. Planting trees in cities and neighborhoods contributes to the reduction of urban heat islands, food insecurity, and poor air and water quality. Bringing back an urban canopy is an investment in the health of the people who live there.

Even more exciting, this appears to be the start of something significant as more stakeholders stand up and rally around the power of trees. The Inflation Reduction Act, for example, was passed by the United States federal government in response to the urgent need to plant and protect our nation's forests. The bold legislation allocates more than $1 billion to the US Forest Service's Urban and Community Forestry program, with a focus on projects that benefit underserved communities. This critical funding will assist stakeholders in reshaping the landscape of the neighborhoods that require it the most. The Arbor Day Foundation is excited to be part of this work.

We strive to be a leading contributor to facilitating the positive outcomes of proper tree planting. In our first 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation proudly planted over 500 million trees around the world. Now, we're committing to our most ambitious goal yet: planting 500 million trees in five years.

We're getting there one tree at a time. And you have a role to play.

One of the most meaningful and significant acts a person can perform for their community is the planting of a tree. The need for trees is global, but the solution begins in your own backyard.