500 Million Trees Planted Since 1972 to Fight Climate

Trees might be our simplest climate solution, and one nonprofit has spent five decades proving it works at scale.

The Arbor Day Foundation has planted more than 500 million trees since 1972, creating a global network that connects donors, companies, and local experts to restore forests where they'll have the biggest impact. In 2025 alone, the organization funded 110 projects across 47 countries, putting more than 300 million trees in the ground.

Their approach goes beyond just planting. The Foundation uses science to identify forests and communities that need trees most, then partners with more than 4,600 local organizations who understand their regions deeply.

Dr. Christopher Kibler, Senior Scientist at the Foundation, explains why this matters. "Forests are one of our most powerful tools for carbon sequestration, biodiversity and community resilience," he says. Trees don't just absorb carbon. They cool neighborhoods, protect wildlife, and support local jobs.

In Bridgeport, where only 5% of the community has tree canopy coverage, the Foundation is bringing green spaces to areas that need them most. In Florida, they're helping forests recover from Hurricane Michael, which destroyed 2.8 million acres in 2018.

The work is saving endangered species too. In Michigan, reforestation projects are restoring native pine stands that provide critical habitat for deer, turkey, and the threatened Kirtland's warbler.

Companies are joining the effort in creative ways. SavATree now plants one new tree in high-priority areas for every tree removal they perform through their partnership with the Foundation.

The Ripple Effect

What started as an idea to get people planting trees has grown into a movement spanning 60 countries. Approximately 95% of US neighborhoods are now home to Arbor Day Foundation trees, creating cooler streets and cleaner air in nearly every community.

The Foundation distributed more than 160,000 trees for people to plant in their own yards this year. Every planting creates benefits that ripple outward, from local shade and bird habitat to global carbon storage and climate resilience.

Dan Morrow, Vice President of Partnerships, sees the bigger picture. "As we grapple with a changing climate and the challenges it brings people and the planet, restoring forests and acting as caring leaders of our neighborhood canopies can make a significant difference in our future," he says.

The best part? Anyone can join this work, whether by planting a tree in their yard or supporting reforestation projects halfway around the world.

Half a billion trees later, the Arbor Day Foundation proves that simple actions, repeated at scale, can heal forests and cool a warming planet.