2021 Impact: 23 Million Trees Planted Across the Globe

In North America, our projects restore forests after wildfires like those in Paradise, California; repair damage caused by a history of industry and resource extraction; support endangered species like the Southern Resident Orca of the Pacific Northwest, green up urban areas for environmental justice, and more.

This year, a total of 10,965,751 trees were planted in Canada and the United States. Of these, 5,464,565 trees will help restore 6,287 hectares of land that were burned in wildfires. Another 7,326,085 trees will protect and restore 8,908 hectares of critical watersheds and riparian areas. 

1.2 million of the trees planted went directly to California reforestation efforts, helping local communities restore forests and rebuild their lives after devastating wildfires. And as part of our efforts to restore land in the Pacific Northwest, we forged strategic relationships to create a nursery network that will help our planting partners get access to millions of seedlings. To help address seedling shortages, we're also looking into options to expand our nursery capacity on the east coast.

In Latin America, many of our projects focus on rebuilding forests and restoring land so the benefits of healthy tropical forests can be felt around the world. Our partners work with communities impacted by deforestation, training them in sustainable forest management practices and agricultural techniques like agroforestry. In 2021, we worked with 5,940 farming families, creating sustainable livelihood that will feed their families for years to come. 

A total of 4,330,130 trees were planted in Mexico, Guatemala, Haiti, Jamaica, Costa Rica, the Honduras, Ecuador, Brazil, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. 694,671 of these trees will help restore 1,728 hectares of rainforest that has been burned in wildfires, a threat that is tied directly with industrial agriculture in this region.  Another 1,006,391 trees will help protect crucial watersheds that supply millions of people through projects like our multi-year planting across the High Andes of Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Argentina.

In Africa, our projects rebuild animal habitat, restore soil and critical watersheds, and improve the lives of the communities who rely on the forests the most. Our planting partners promote agroforestry and educate farmers on the benefits of improved forestry practices, working to provide communities with sustainable sources of food, fuelwood, and income. In 2021, 14,065 farming families benefited and 2,381 women were directly employed or involved in restoration efforts. 

A total of 2,610,000 trees were planted in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire  and Cameroon. 1,497,242 of these trees will help restore 6,540 hectares of critical watersheds. We're proud of what we've accomplished in Africa, and look forward to expanding our role in this region through growing partnerships. We're also proud to be an implementation partner of AFR100, the African Forest Landscape Restoration initiative, which aims to bring 100 million hectares of land in Africa into restoration by 2030

In Asia, our projects focus on rebuilding the habitat of critically endangered species like orangutans, tigers, and over 1,700 species of birds. In addition to their awesome biodiversity benefits, these projects create restoration jobs and provide sustainable, long-term income for local communities.

1,149,441 of the trees planted in Asia will help restore 2,232 hectares of land affected by wildfires — in many cases, wrought by unsustainable agriculture for products like palm oil — a ubiquitous processed foods ingredient. 1,542,213 of the trees will help restore 2,874 hectares of critical watershed. We worked with 14,950 farming families and 2,045 women to create lasting social and economic impact in this region. 

In the Pacific, our projects focus on restoring forests following the destruction wrought by the Black Summer and other bushfires, rejuvenating critical habitat for wildlife like koalas and cockatoos, and safeguarding community watersheds through the restoration of indigenous tree species. Among many other benefits, 58,365 of the trees planted here will directly protect watersheds spanning 129 hectares. 

In Europe, our projects aim to re-establish woodland, improve water and soil quality, and create habitat for wildlife in areas that were forested long ago. We planted 605,127 trees in Iceland, Scotland, England, Denmark, Germany, Romania, Italy and Spain. From urban forestry projects that green up and cool down cities to watershed restoration in the wild heart of Scotland, we look forward to continuing to expand our impact in this region!