September/October 2021: 1.3 Million Trees and Counting

Photos courtesy Casa Guatemala/Fruit Tree Planting Foundation

1.3 Million Trees and Counting

I

Donor support pushes Time for Trees goal to the finish line

n 2019, the Arbor Day Foundation launched The school serves children who have been abused, the Time for Trees® initiative. This ambitious abandoned, malnourished, or living in extreme poverty. plan outlined our goal to plant 100 million trees Hurricanes and flooding in November 2020 and engage 5 million planters by 2022, the 150th devastated the Rio Dulce area, and with the village only anniversary of Arbor Day. accessible by boat, providing these trees was critical to Today, we are proud to announce that we have reforesting the region and addressing food insecurity. achieved that milestone one year ahead of schedule — During the event, 100 rambutan, citrus, mango, jocote, and we couldn’t have done it without the support of sapote, avocado, and breadfruit trees were planted at our dedicated Oak Society members.

Casa Guatemala, with 100 more distributed to local Bruce Brown was one Oak Society member who families. The families also participated in a workshop The late Bruce Brown, took a special interest in our Time for Trees goal. A on how to care for these trees. longtime Arbor Day Foundation member philanthropy consultant from Philadelphia, Bruce had Here in the United States, Bruce’s gift will cover a passion for giving back in both his professional and the replanting of trees lost to fires in California, as well personal life. He was a member of the Arbor Day Foundation as a tree distribution in his hometown of Philadelphia. for 32 years and one of the first to hear about the campaign We are so thankful for the dedication of Bruce and all from our development team. our Oak Society members. Together, you have planted almost Before passing away in 2020, Bruce helped kickstart our 1.3 million trees for the Time for Trees initiative. You are our goal by supporting a variety of urban and reforestation efforts. most passionate supporters and advocates, and we could not His legacy — both in the Philadelphia area and around the have had this success without your help. world — will last for generations.

To learn more about the Time for Trees initiative, visit One of the projects Bruce supported was a fruit tree timefortrees.org. planting at Casa Guatemala, a school in Rio Dulce, Guatemala.

Meet Our Team

Lachel Bradley-Williams, Events and Engagement Manager, Arbor Day Foundation

Coming Closer During a Time of Distance

Near the end of 2020, we reached out to our Oak Society members to determine what you would like to see more of. Many of you requested more opportunities to engage.

You asked, and we listened. In April 2021, we hosted our first-ever Oak Society Panel Discussion online. The focus of this event was the importance of trees to our communities.

Oak Society members from more than 22 states and two countries RSVP’d for this inaugural event. During the session, they were able to meet with program leaders and fellow members to gain a deeper understanding of the impact trees have on our communities, health, and overall well-being.

In July, we hosted a second virtual event, where we shared an in-depth look at our reforestation efforts both domestically and internationally. Attendees were able to hear from internal program leaders and one of our planting partners, as well as participate in an interactive game of “treevia” with prizes going to the top three participants.

We’ve appreciated the opportunity to connect with our members on a deeper level, as well as give them an inside look at the programs they’ve helped make successful.

If you weren’t able to make it to these events, we have another coming up!

Don’t miss your invite — make sure we have your most up-todate contact information by visiting arborday.org/oaksociety and selecting “Update My Information” in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. You can also view past events by clicking on the Events & Resources tab.

We hope to see you soon!

50132101

What do you love about your work at the Arbor Day Foundation?

Our work at the Arbor Day Foundation fills my heart in many ways. I enjoy the ability to connect people to trees, serving communities around the world in various ways. Each and every single person that comes in contact with a tree to either plant in their front yard or their neighborhood has a unique environmental experience. Many report a sense of pride, hope, healing, inspiration, and intrigue. These trees not only serve many healthy environmental impacts, they provide something for families and communities to watch grow and nourish, together. My passion lives in the real change and positive impressions trees have in each unique area, with each unique individual.

How did you develop a connection with trees?

Personally, I develop a connection with trees most when directly exploring the outdoors. I love hiking and being in nature. There is something special about being in the middle of a wooded area, among tall trees, breathing fresh air, listening to the wind move through the branches and leaves rustle while the birds and squirrels move about their playground. Trees are simply amazing.

What is your favorite tree?

I have many favorite trees! My most favorite is the river birch, Betulaceae nigra. These trees have a peeling, flaky bark in hues of orange and brown. The more mature they become, the more woody, robust, and showy their bark. Their leaves are serrated, pointed, and very symmetrically pleasing to the eye. A truly beautiful tree!

Arbor Day Foundation • 211 N. 12th St. • Lincoln, Nebraska 68508