Thank You for Your Commitment to Our Forests
Meet Our Team
Our natural forests have long been a thing of beauty and inspiration, but they are so much more. They provide wildlife habitat, clean our water and air, prevent erosion, and slow climate change. Sadly, forests in America and around the globe are also at risk. Things like wildfires, clearcutting, disease, infestation, and other disasters — natural and manmade — threaten our forests and the vital benefits they provide.
Although these issues combined with daily news of new threats to our forests can be disheartening, our reforestation program meets these challenges head on with your help. We want to say THANK YOU to the Oak Society for your support of our recent emergency forest replanting appeal. This group alone ensured the planting of nearly 200,000 trees, creating a lasting impact for generations to come.
Logan Donahoo,
Additionally, many of you attended our recent Oak Society reforestation virtual panel discussion. Oak Society community members from all over the United States met with program leaders and partners to take a closer look at the impact of this work. This was a unique opportunity to share the many projects and ongoing efforts you make possible.
Program Manager, Tree Campus Programs What do you love about your work at the Arbor Day Foundation? I work with people who are directly responsible for planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees on higher education and healthcare campuses. Our recognition programs shine a light on their work and why it matters. I get to see this every year when we send congratulatory letters to university chancellors and hospital presidents alike. Tree Campus Higher Education and Tree Campus Healthcare recognition is a point of pride for them, and it helps them keep trees at the forefront in planning and budgets. For me, the most meaningful part is seeing the grounds managers, faculty members, sustainability leaders, and students on these campuses who are champions of trees earn personal recognition in the process.
You truly are our most passionate supporters and advocates, and we are grateful for your support and participation. If you’d like more information on our reforestation efforts but were unable to make it to the panel discussion, please visit arborday.org/oaksociety to view the recording.
End-of-Year Charitable Contribution Considerations With 2021 quickly fading into 2022, it’s time to consider how your charitable giving may affect or be affected by your 2021 taxes. Note that the CARES Act suspension of the required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2020 does not appear to have been extended to 2021. So if you find you need to lower your taxable income because of an unexpected RMD, a charitable gift may be a valuable way to reduce your tax burden.
How did you develop a connection with trees? I grew up on California’s central coast. My dad was an avid hiker, and we would frequently explore the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, just minutes from my home. As a child, gazing up into the sky through the canopy of the towering redwoods and examining the banana slugs that lived at their roots filled me with wonder.
Also, remember that the 60% charitable deduction limitation has been extended into 2021 for qualified cash contributions. And individual taxpayers who itemize tax deductions and who contribute to a public charity may deduct up to 100% of their gross income. This may be the right time for you to make a gift that will make lasting change. Your support of tree planting efforts today could mean a tax benefit for you and a greener, better future for everyone.
What is your favorite tree? The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). There’s nothing like gazing up at an ancient tree and appreciating the habitat it creates.
50131901
Arbor Day Foundation
Consider talking to your accountant or financial advisor about how these changes could affect your philanthropic strategy. And if you would like more information about creative ideas to make the most of your giving, please reach out to our development team at plannedgiving@arborday.org. •
211 N. 12th St.
•
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Chase and Harley
P
Students on a Tree Planting Mission
rairie Village, Kansas, has been a Tree City USA® community for more than two decades. As a reflection of this commitment to trees, the Prairie Village Tree Board names an Arbor Day honoree each year. This year’s honorees were Chase Horner and Harley Witbrod, two high school students behind a large countywide tree planting. The planting project was initially planned for February of 2020, but COVID-19 interfered with their plans. With pandemic restrictions still in effect, Chase and Harley brought together 300 volunteers on April 24, 2021 — Global Youth Service Day — to plant more than 200 trees throughout Johnson County. Not only did they organize the tree planting event, but they also raised the nearly $20,000 needed to cover the cost of the trees. Some of the funds even came from students attending other area schools. Kevin Dunn, chairman of the Prairie Village Tree Board, was eager to share Chase and Harley’s story.
“We’ve never seen such an ambitious volunteer tree planting project executed on such a grand scale here,” he said, “and I thought their story might inspire young people in other parts of the country to help their communities in a similar way.” To celebrate the community’s Arbor Day honorees, the Public Works Department of Prairie Village planted a Sango Kaku Japanese maple in one of the city’s parks. The tree will grow and thrive as a reminder of these two students’ commitment to conservation. But more than that, the 200+ trees they planted throughout the area will stand as a symbol of the impact a small group of engaged young people can make. Each of us has the power to help inspire the next generation of tree planters. With more young people like Chase and Harley, our shared commitment to trees can carry on for years to come.
M
ost people would agree the past two years have posed many challenges for society as a whole. For many, the ongoing pandemic has changed the landscape of how we interact with family, friends, and colleagues. It has reshaped our holiday traditions, how we mourn and celebrate, our workplaces, and our educational systems. No age group has been left untouched — including our youth. Thankfully, one of the safest places to be has remained consistent from the beginning of these challenging times: outdoors. Many of us have vivid memories involving trees from our childhood. But we need to recognize that trees and outdoor activities go far beyond those endearing memories; they are essential to childhood health and development. While the advancement in technology prior to the pandemic helped set many of us up for the ability to adapt to work and school from home, it also significantly increased our screen time. And for some, the closure of many public green spaces meant decreased outdoor activity.
THE BENEFITS OF
TREES:
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH
Globally, childhood obesity affects 42 million children under the age of 5, and 12.7 million American children and adolescents aged 2–19 are classified as obese. Cases of childhood asthma are on the rise as well. The U.S. alone saw a 50% increase of childhood asthma from 1980 to 2000, particularly among those in poor urban communities. For the sake of the next generation, we need to make a concerted effort to recognize the benefits of trees and ensure our community canopies, playgrounds, and own backyards provide the necessities for healthy physical and psychological development. Research has shown that children living in neighborhoods with green space have a lower risk of increased body mass index. This correlates with the Arbor Day Foundation’s findings through a research survey, which revealed that 90% of parents felt their children would be more likely to play or exercise in a space with trees compared to a space without trees. It is also documented that childhood asthma rates are highest where urban tree density is lowest, but that rate decreases by 25% for every additional 340 trees per square kilometer. According to a recent article published in the Greater Good Magazine at Berkley, spending time in nature helps children in numerous ways. Some include restoring attention spans, relieving stress, developing self-discipline, increasing physical fitness, and promoting social and creative connections. Now more than ever, an awareness of the physical and cognitive health benefits our children receive from nature will help us ensure an intentional focus of balancing technology and nature. The Arbor Day Foundation and its supporters continue to address these and other issues together through programs like Tree Campus® Higher Education, Tree Campus® K–12, Tree City USA®, and others. We all know the impact we can make together far outweighs what we can do alone. For more information on how your support is helping, or how you can do more, please visit our website at arborday.org or email us at oaksociety@arborday.org.
A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s
3
M
ost people would agree the past two years have posed many challenges for society as a whole. For many, the ongoing pandemic has changed the landscape of how we interact with family, friends, and colleagues. It has reshaped our holiday traditions, how we mourn and celebrate, our workplaces, and our educational systems. No age group has been left untouched — including our youth. Thankfully, one of the safest places to be has remained consistent from the beginning of these challenging times: outdoors. Many of us have vivid memories involving trees from our childhood. But we need to recognize that trees and outdoor activities go far beyond those endearing memories; they are essential to childhood health and development. While the advancement in technology prior to the pandemic helped set many of us up for the ability to adapt to work and school from home, it also significantly increased our screen time. And for some, the closure of many public green spaces meant decreased outdoor activity.
THE BENEFITS OF
TREES:
CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT & HEALTH
Globally, childhood obesity affects 42 million children under the age of 5, and 12.7 million American children and adolescents aged 2–19 are classified as obese. Cases of childhood asthma are on the rise as well. The U.S. alone saw a 50% increase of childhood asthma from 1980 to 2000, particularly among those in poor urban communities. For the sake of the next generation, we need to make a concerted effort to recognize the benefits of trees and ensure our community canopies, playgrounds, and own backyards provide the necessities for healthy physical and psychological development. Research has shown that children living in neighborhoods with green space have a lower risk of increased body mass index. This correlates with the Arbor Day Foundation’s findings through a research survey, which revealed that 90% of parents felt their children would be more likely to play or exercise in a space with trees compared to a space without trees. It is also documented that childhood asthma rates are highest where urban tree density is lowest, but that rate decreases by 25% for every additional 340 trees per square kilometer. According to a recent article published in the Greater Good Magazine at Berkley, spending time in nature helps children in numerous ways. Some include restoring attention spans, relieving stress, developing self-discipline, increasing physical fitness, and promoting social and creative connections. Now more than ever, an awareness of the physical and cognitive health benefits our children receive from nature will help us ensure an intentional focus of balancing technology and nature. The Arbor Day Foundation and its supporters continue to address these and other issues together through programs like Tree Campus® Higher Education, Tree Campus® K–12, Tree City USA®, and others. We all know the impact we can make together far outweighs what we can do alone. For more information on how your support is helping, or how you can do more, please visit our website at arborday.org or email us at oaksociety@arborday.org.
A r b o r D ay F o u n d at i o n O a k S o c i e t y I n s i g h t s
3
Thank You for Your Commitment to Our Forests
Meet Our Team
Our natural forests have long been a thing of beauty and inspiration, but they are so much more. They provide wildlife habitat, clean our water and air, prevent erosion, and slow climate change. Sadly, forests in America and around the globe are also at risk. Things like wildfires, clearcutting, disease, infestation, and other disasters — natural and manmade — threaten our forests and the vital benefits they provide.
Although these issues combined with daily news of new threats to our forests can be disheartening, our reforestation program meets these challenges head on with your help. We want to say THANK YOU to the Oak Society for your support of our recent emergency forest replanting appeal. This group alone ensured the planting of nearly 200,000 trees, creating a lasting impact for generations to come.
Logan Donahoo,
Additionally, many of you attended our recent Oak Society reforestation virtual panel discussion. Oak Society community members from all over the United States met with program leaders and partners to take a closer look at the impact of this work. This was a unique opportunity to share the many projects and ongoing efforts you make possible.
Program Manager, Tree Campus Programs What do you love about your work at the Arbor Day Foundation? I work with people who are directly responsible for planting, nurturing, and celebrating trees on higher education and healthcare campuses. Our recognition programs shine a light on their work and why it matters. I get to see this every year when we send congratulatory letters to university chancellors and hospital presidents alike. Tree Campus Higher Education and Tree Campus Healthcare recognition is a point of pride for them, and it helps them keep trees at the forefront in planning and budgets. For me, the most meaningful part is seeing the grounds managers, faculty members, sustainability leaders, and students on these campuses who are champions of trees earn personal recognition in the process.
You truly are our most passionate supporters and advocates, and we are grateful for your support and participation. If you’d like more information on our reforestation efforts but were unable to make it to the panel discussion, please visit arborday.org/oaksociety to view the recording.
End-of-Year Charitable Contribution Considerations With 2021 quickly fading into 2022, it’s time to consider how your charitable giving may affect or be affected by your 2021 taxes. Note that the CARES Act suspension of the required minimum distribution (RMD) in 2020 does not appear to have been extended to 2021. So if you find you need to lower your taxable income because of an unexpected RMD, a charitable gift may be a valuable way to reduce your tax burden.
How did you develop a connection with trees? I grew up on California’s central coast. My dad was an avid hiker, and we would frequently explore the Forest of Nisene Marks State Park in the Santa Cruz Mountains, just minutes from my home. As a child, gazing up into the sky through the canopy of the towering redwoods and examining the banana slugs that lived at their roots filled me with wonder.
Also, remember that the 60% charitable deduction limitation has been extended into 2021 for qualified cash contributions. And individual taxpayers who itemize tax deductions and who contribute to a public charity may deduct up to 100% of their gross income. This may be the right time for you to make a gift that will make lasting change. Your support of tree planting efforts today could mean a tax benefit for you and a greener, better future for everyone.
What is your favorite tree? The coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens). There’s nothing like gazing up at an ancient tree and appreciating the habitat it creates.
50131901
Arbor Day Foundation
Consider talking to your accountant or financial advisor about how these changes could affect your philanthropic strategy. And if you would like more information about creative ideas to make the most of your giving, please reach out to our development team at plannedgiving@arborday.org. •
211 N. 12th St.
•
Lincoln, Nebraska 68508
Chase and Harley
P
Students on a Tree Planting Mission
rairie Village, Kansas, has been a Tree City USA® community for more than two decades. As a reflection of this commitment to trees, the Prairie Village Tree Board names an Arbor Day honoree each year. This year’s honorees were Chase Horner and Harley Witbrod, two high school students behind a large countywide tree planting. The planting project was initially planned for February of 2020, but COVID-19 interfered with their plans. With pandemic restrictions still in effect, Chase and Harley brought together 300 volunteers on April 24, 2021 — Global Youth Service Day — to plant more than 200 trees throughout Johnson County. Not only did they organize the tree planting event, but they also raised the nearly $20,000 needed to cover the cost of the trees. Some of the funds even came from students attending other area schools. Kevin Dunn, chairman of the Prairie Village Tree Board, was eager to share Chase and Harley’s story.
“We’ve never seen such an ambitious volunteer tree planting project executed on such a grand scale here,” he said, “and I thought their story might inspire young people in other parts of the country to help their communities in a similar way.” To celebrate the community’s Arbor Day honorees, the Public Works Department of Prairie Village planted a Sango Kaku Japanese maple in one of the city’s parks. The tree will grow and thrive as a reminder of these two students’ commitment to conservation. But more than that, the 200+ trees they planted throughout the area will stand as a symbol of the impact a small group of engaged young people can make. Each of us has the power to help inspire the next generation of tree planters. With more young people like Chase and Harley, our shared commitment to trees can carry on for years to come.