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If you could...it's Earth Day, and there's trees that need planting

Lined along my driveway are large pots with tiny little trees in them. We're growing them in the hope that they can become strong trees planted where trees are needed.

I know one place that needs trees, and I know a group working to plant them. A billion of them. Would you like to help?

The Atlantic Forest is one of the largest tropical rain forests in the world. However, after decades of clear cutting, expansion, development, and agriculture only seven percent of the original forest remains.

Why are tropical rain forests important to the earth and to people?

Forests regulate the atmosphere and stabilize global climate. They also store carbon dioxide and release oxygen. One billion people depend directly on the rain forest. In addition to the lifegiving attributes for the entire world, such as water, medicine, and oxygen, rain forests also provide livelihoods and even hydro energy.

It's also home to one of the most diverse collections of plant and animal species.: 23 species of primates, 1,000 species of birds, and over 20,000 species of plants.

What is being done to preserve and restore this essential tropical rain forest?

The Nature Conservancy launched Plant A Billion, which intends to, with partners, plant one billion trees and restore 2.5 million acres of the forest. They hope to accomplish this within seven years.

How will this help?

The Nature Conservancy says that once they've planted the new trees and restored the forest, it should remove 10 million tons of carbon dioxide from the air every year, which is the equivalent of taking two million cars off the road.

They also plan to protect 10 watersheds, provide hydro power to 70 million people, create 20,000 direct jobs and 70,000 indirect jobs.

What can you do?

I joined this initiative by starting a campaign. I hope you'll join in! My goal is $250 for 250 trees. The money goes directly to the Plant a Billion and Nature Conservancy, but we can track it if you click through the widget here:

One dollar, one tree, one planet.

Thank you!

P.S. Post below this one, too. With Hump Day Hmm topic...about truth and lies.

Copyright 2008 Julie Pippert
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Comments

What great ventures you're involved with! We're planting locally this year...in our yard! Nothing like a tree to make me happy. You might like my post today about maple tapping. Trees are most definitely a part of our day to day...
Magpie said…
I like your campaign so much that I bought 10 trees!
Madge said…
i love this. i'm in - clicking now.
Robert said…
If you buy a new computer directly from Dell, you can give money to plant a tree, and you can recycle your old one.

One request: if you're planting trees, don't plant pines. They are terrible in hurricane season, since they snap like twigs once they reach a certain height. That's my little plug. I've helped remove too many of them to ever encourage someone to plant them in their own yards.
Julie Pippert said…
Madge and Magpie, a billion thanks! Remember to keep the receipt for taxes!

Robert, you can count on me to xeriscape.

WiW...I have a conference call then am going to try to visit blogs. I haven't been out and about in a week it seems like!
Christine said…
oh julie, this is why i love you, so.
Gwen said…
Julie, this is a great idea. One of the kindest things anyone did for me after my father died was to plant trees in his name. I loved that gift so much and have passed it onto others since.
Kyla said…
What a great idea!

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