Healthy forests are green reservoirs, supplying an astonishing 75% of the world’s fresh water. Among their many roles, trees play a vital part in the water cycle. They release water vapor through their leaves, which supports healthy rainfall patterns and boosts fresh water availability. Once rain reaches the ground, tree roots help filter out sediments and pollutants, protecting essential waterways.
Clean water is vital to life, and trees are vital to clean water.
That’s why forested watersheds are a cornerstone of a healthier future for our planet. In these pages, you’ll notice trees are serving as a solution in areas of the world without dependable access to clean water. By helping us plant trees, you’re helping us revitalize ecosystems and communities, and safeguard human health.
Because water grows in the forest.
A FOREST TAKES ROOT IN THE HEART OF HONG KONG
How 700 native trees are transforming an industrial site into a thriving ecosystem
In one of the world’s most densely populated cities, every square meter of green space matters. That’s why the Arbor Day Foundation, in partnership with SUGi and with support from FedEx, is helping bring a pocket forest to life on the edge of an e-waste recycling plant in Hong Kong.
On just 340 square meters of open space, 700 native trees have been planted using the Miyawaki Method — an innovative approach to reforestation that is especially effective in urban environments. Developed by Japanese botanist Dr. Akira Miyawaki, the method involves planting diverse native species close together to mimic the natural structure of a forest. This dense planting accelerates growth, supports rich biodiversity, and requires minimal longterm maintenance once the forest is established.
The benefits extend far beyond the site itself. By transforming underutilized land into a thriving ecosystem, the project helps address some of the most pressing environmental challenges a city of Hong Kong’s size grapples with: reducing urban heat, improving air quality, capturing rainwater and returning it to the ground, and creating vital habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. Within just a few years, the trees will grow into a self-sustaining forest, offering shade and cleaner air for the surrounding community.
Equally important, this pocket forest is designed as a space for connection and learning. Residents will
be able to see firsthand how nature can heal and adapt — even in the heart of an industrial area. By engaging the community in planting and stewardship, the project cultivates a sense of shared responsibility for the environment and inspires future conservation action.
Efforts like the WEEE Park Forest show how international projects are helping advance the Arbor Day Foundation’s mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees everywhere. Whether restoring vast landscapes or reimagining small urban spaces, every tree planted contributes to a greener, healthier future for us all.
“The idea is to work with enough people and with enough area to change the landscape.”
Milmer Martinez Vergara, Plant With Purpose
HOW TREES ARE RESTORING CLEAN WATER IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
In the Dominican Republic, the landscape tells a story of contrast: thriving, forested mountains rich with native species and clean water, set against barren hillsides scarred by slash-and-burn farming practices. This disparity underscores an urgent need for reforestation — not just to restore beauty, but to bring life back to damaged ecosystems and support the communities that depend on them.
Nowhere is this more critical than in the bustling capital of Santo Domingo. As the country’s political, cultural, and economic heart, Santo Domingo relies heavily on the Ozama watershed.
Spanning nearly 600 square miles, the watershed provides water for millions. But decades of deforestation, soil erosion, and pollution have weakened its integrity, threatening both human health and economic stability.
Hope, however, is growing. Along riverbanks and degraded slopes, trees are proving to be powerful agents of change. Their roots stabilize the soil, filter pollutants, replenish groundwater, and improve water quality. These benefits ripple downstream, supporting agriculture, strengthening climate resilience, and improving community health all the way to the Caribbean’s largest city.
The Arbor Day Foundation is addressing these urgent challenges through partnerships with trusted organizations, like Plant With Purpose — a global nonprofit supporting nearly 100,000 farming families in nine countries, including the Dominican Republic. Their focus is on areas where deforestation has been most severe, like the Ozama watershed, and their approach is as holistic as it is effective.
By concentrating efforts on smaller sub-watersheds, we’re seeing significant improvements in both environmental and socioeconomic conditions. As trees take root, they not only restore land but also help farming families increase crop yields, sustain their communities, and live with greater resilience.
“The idea is to work with enough people and with enough area to change the landscape,” says Milmer Martinez Vergara, vice president of international programs at Plant With Purpose. “When we plant trees, it’s not just about helping an individual farm. It’s about how the entire ecosystem will sustain farmers, businesses, and communities downstream, all the way to the ocean.”
The impact goes beyond water quality. Restoring forests in the Dominican Republic provides habitats for endemic birds and freshwater species, helps capture and store carbon from the atmosphere, and ensures the watershed remains a reliable source of clean water for generations to come.
The Arbor Day Foundation has identified the Dominican Republic as one of its five priority regions for reforestation — places where trees can deliver exponential results. With the right partnerships and a long-term commitment to stewardship, trees are bringing balance back to the watershed and hope to the people of Santo Domingo.
Watch the video and dive deeper into the story of the Ozama watershed at arborday.org/santo-domingo.
Top: Cesar (right) shows Lachel Bradley-Williams the fruit his trees dropped, which helps feed his family and community in the Dominican Republic.
Middle: A child holds fruit — one of the many layered benefits produced by trees planted on the family’s farm land.
Bottom: Lucas (right) chats at the local timber yard where wood he’s thinned from his forest adds additional income for his family.
NEW RECORD SHOWCASES THE GLOBAL POWER OF TREES
From small towns to global metropolises, cities are embracing trees as essential infrastructure for healthier, more resilient communities.
The Arbor Day Foundation and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) have recognized a record 210 communities as 2024 Tree Cities of the World — the most ever since the program began in 2018.
Representing 24 countries and six continents, these communities range from small towns of 1,500 residents to cities of 12 million, collectively speaking 37 languages and home to over 134 million people.
Tree Cities of the World celebrates cities that prioritize urban forestry to enhance livability, sustainability, and climate resilience. The program, aligned with FAO’s Green Cities Initiative, connects municipalities with global networks of urban forestry professionals, supporting canopy growth and community forest management. Recognition often translates into
increased local funding and public support for trees — a critical resource for cities facing environmental and social challenges.
“Trees bring people together,” said Sophie Plitt, program manager at the Arbor Day Foundation. “They transcend borders and language, infusing cities and neighborhoods with boundless value. They clean the air, cool our streets, and create spaces where life can flourish.”
At its core, Tree Cities of the World is more than a recognition program; it’s a rapidly growing global movement. By upholding its five core standards, cities join a network of passionate organizers and tireless tree planters, transforming how communities value their urban forests. As the program continues to expand, it reinforces a simple yet profound idea: trees are a shared investment in a healthier, more resilient, and more connected future.
To learn more about how trees are transforming communities worldwide, visit arborday.org/power-of-trees
WINTER TREE WATCH: DISCOVER THE HIDDEN BEAUTY OF TREES
Winter might seem like a quiet season for trees, but there’s still plenty to notice and appreciate. Without leaves, it’s easier to see the overall structure of a tree — the way its branches spread and form unique patterns against the sky.
Buds are also easier to spot this time of year. Each species has its own bud shapes and textures, which makes winter a great season to practice tree identification.
Bark can add interest, too. Birches and aspens, for example, stand out with their striking colors and textures, especially in snowy or gray landscapes.
And if you’re looking for a splash of color, trees like crabapples and mountain-ash often hold onto their fruit through the winter. Those bright red clusters look beautiful and also serve as an important food source for birds and wildlife.
Taking a walk to notice these details is a simple way to stay connected to trees year-round — and to see their hidden beauty, even in the dormant season.
Learn how to identify, plant, and care for trees in your area by visiting arborday.org/hidden-beauty
THE FUTURE IS COUNTING ON YOU
We all have a role to play in shaping a greener future. One with thriving neighborhood tree canopy, vibrant forest ecosystems, and a healthier planet for future generations. This is a future that’s going to take all of us doing everything we can.
Here’s your moment to make an impact that will last well beyond your lifetime. With help from the Arbor Day Foundation, you can leave a legacy through trees.
To learn more about gift planning, go to arborday.org/planning or scan the QR code.
We are here to help: Erin Mousel, Gift Planning Officer 888-448-7337, ext. 9614 emousel@arborday.org
You may also fill out and mail the form below.
I WOULD LIKE MORE INFORMATION ON:
l Including the Arbor Day Foundation in my will
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WHITE OAK
Quercus alba
Known for its longevity and stately presence, the white oak is a cornerstone of forests and landscapes across eastern and central North America. This tree can live for hundreds of years, providing shade, shelter, and food for generations of wildlife.
Reaching up to 80 feet tall, with a broad, spreading canopy, the white oak is perfect for parks, large yards, and naturalized spaces. Its acorns are a vital food source for birds, deer, and small mammals, while its branches and foliage create essential habitat. In autumn, its leaves turn rich shades of red, orange, and brown, adding seasonal beauty to any landscape.
Resilient and adaptable, white oaks thrive in well-drained soil and full sun. Hardy in zones 3–9, they are a long-term investment in both environmental health and landscape charm.
To purchase or learn more about this tree and others, visit arborday.org/white-oak or scan this QR code.
We guarantee delivery of healthy trees to our members. Please check ordering deadlines and shipping dates at arborday.org/shipping. If you need to contact us about your trees, call 888-448-7337, email us at info@arborday.org, or drop us a note at
Lincoln, NE 68508. We want your tree planting efforts to be successful!
