Nov. 10, 2011

Within a few years of being planted, one tree saves 17 kbut of energy, emits 1 kg of clean air, soaks up 30 kg of carbon dioxide and filters 757 L of water.

Imagine this multiplied by 1,000,000.

This is the magnitude of benefits that ReForest London will achieve with their latest campaign, Million Tree Challenge. The campaign to plant 1 million trees in the next 10 years is an ambitious one, but one that will surely blossom thanks to the good start they have from community members, donors and volunteers, and now a $25,000 gift through the Foundation’s Clean Air Challenge grant program.

Their first goal is to plant one tree per every Londoner within the next three years. Julie Ryan of ReForest London says this campaign is more than planting trees – it seeks to change the way Londoners feel about their city, and about the way they relate to their environment. Beyond lessening our personal consumption, many people feel helpless to address the growing crisis of climate change and other environmental threats.

Engaging in a local effort of such a large magnitude is one way that people can be empowered to respond positively to climate change, the degradation of our air quality, water quality, natural surroundings, and quality of life.

One million trees will move us closer to a 40% tree cover goal, and will help to mitigate the effects of the Emerald Ash Borer, a pest that will kill nearly all of London’s ash trees.

London Community Foundation is pleased to support Reforest London with a $25,000 grant through the 2011 Clean Air Challenge.

ReForest London was also successful in their grant application for a 2011 Community Vitality grant of $120,000. This grant will further assist in implementation of the new program, a comprehensive metrics system, and outreach and promotion strategy. 

"We are delighted that London Community Foundation has supported this community initiative which will  leverage our phase one  tree planting goal of One Tree for Every Londoner by 2014," said David Crockett, Chair of ReForest London. "The Million Tree Challenge will transform London, making it a healthier, more vibrant city worthy of its Forest City name. This grant will enable ReForest London and partners to get trees to Londoners to plant throughout the city."

>> 2011 Community Vitality Grant Recipients
>> Support the Community Vitality Grant Program