Tree planting programs

Why: This is the highest-impact 'low-effort' change you can make, as ad revenue from your searches funds tree planting in biodiversity hotspots.

How:

• Go to your browser settings and set Ecosia as the default.
• Install the Ecosia browser extension to track your personal 'tree count'.
• Use it for your daily searches to fund approximately one tree every 50 searches.

Done when: Ecosia is set as the primary search engine on all your devices.

Why: Most major cities have official municipal programs that provide free trees for residents or organize large-scale community planting events.

How:

• Search your city's official website for 'Urban Forestry' or 'Tree Canopy' initiatives.
• Look for programs like 'Tree City USA' (if in the US) or local 'Green City' grants.
• Bookmark the event calendar for the upcoming planting season (typically Spring or Fall).

Done when: You have a direct link to your city's official tree planting schedule.

Why: Grassroots organizations often have the best knowledge of where trees are most needed and provide the logistics for planting days.

How:

• Use the provided link to find environmental groups nearby.
• Sign up for their newsletter to receive alerts for 'Volunteer Planting Days'.
• Focus on groups that prioritize native species, as these have the highest ecological impact.

Done when: You are registered on at least one volunteer mailing list for local reforestation.

Why: Having the right personal equipment ensures safety and efficiency during physically demanding planting sessions.

How:

• Purchase a pair of heavy-duty, breathable work gloves with nitrile palms.
• Get waterproof, steel-toe or reinforced boots to protect your feet while using a spade.
• Ensure you have a reusable water bottle and weather-appropriate clothing (layers).

Done when: You have a 'planting kit' ready to go in a dedicated bag.

Why: Physical participation provides the labor needed for large-scale urban greening that municipalities often cannot fund alone.

How:

• Select an event from your bookmarked local portal.
• Check the requirements (some require a short safety orientation).
• Confirm your attendance at least two weeks in advance.

Done when: You have a confirmed date and location for your first planting event.

Why: Planting too deep is the #1 cause of young tree death; proper technique ensures the tree survives past the first year.

How:

• Dig a hole 2-3 times wider than the root ball but no deeper.
• Locate the root flare (where the trunk expands at the base) and ensure it is visible above the soil line.
• Remove any burlap or wire cages that could strangle roots.
• Fill the hole with native soil, not heavy fertilizers, to encourage root spread.

Done when: The tree is planted with the root flare visible and soil lightly tamped down.

Why: Newly planted trees require 15-20 gallons of water per week during the first two summers to survive.

How:

• Identify a young tree in your neighborhood (often marked with a green watering bag).
• Commit to filling the watering bag or slow-dripping a bucket once a week during dry spells.
• Remove weeds and trash from the tree pit to reduce competition for nutrients.

Done when: A watering schedule is added to your calendar for the months of June through September.

Why: Data collection helps scientists track global reforestation progress and carbon sequestration levels.

How:

• Use a platform like Plant-for-the-Planet's Tree Mapper or i-Tree.
• Upload a photo of the tree, its species, and its GPS location.
• Share the link with your community to encourage local competition.

Done when: Your planted/supported trees are officially logged in a global database.