Trees for Cities
 | |
| Formation | 1993 |
|---|---|
| Legal status | Non-profit company and registered charity |
| Purpose | Planting trees in deprived urban areas |
Region served | UK, world |
Chief Executive | Sharon Johnson |
| Website | www.treesforcities.org |
Trees for Cities is a tree planting charity in the United Kingdom.
History
The charity was founded by a group of four friends: Jake Kempston, Belinda Winder, Jane Bruton & Julian Blake in 1993. The original inspiration came from Jake Kempston - but during the night of the 1992 UK general election, as results poured in, Jake approached the others to help him in a mission to 'plant more trees in London'. For the first five or so years, the charity raised funds through its well-known and much-loved parties. The charity was initially called Trees for London[1] to "advance the education of the public in the appreciation of trees and their amenity value, and in furtherance of this the planting and protection of trees everywhere, and in particular inner city areas".[1] In 2003, the charity changed its name to Trees for Cities to reflect a growth in activities in cities across the UK and across the globe. In 2009, Sharon Johnson replaced Graham Simmonds as Chief Executive. Graham Simmonds moved to become Chair of the board of trustees. Graham Simmonds is also Chairman of the environmental employee engagement company Viridien.[2]
The charity has a history of unusual office locations. Originally based on HMS Belfast,[3] the charity now operates from Prince Consort Lodge, a house located in Kennington Park, Kennington, in London, England.
Function
In addition to tree planting, the charity is involved in activities with schools and community groups, providing qualifications for trainees in horticulture, arboriculture and woodland management, and campaigning for trees.
Fundraising
Trees for Cities holds an annual Tree-athlon, a 5k annual fun[4] run which raises funds for Trees for Cities. It has been held in Leeds, Manchester and London, and on 18 September 2010 in Battersea Park set the world record for the largest ever barefoot race, with 278 participants completing a 100 m grass circuit.[5] The 2011 event was also held in London, in Battersea Park on 17 September. The charity has a number of high-profile patrons, including Neil Fox, Diarmuid Gavin, Jamie Oliver, Jon Snow and Richard Rogers.
Projects
Trees for Cities has projects throughout Greater London, as well as in Brighton, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Nottingham, Reading and Sheffield. The charity's global reach extends to Ica in Peru, La Paz in Bolivia, Nairobi in Kenya and Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
See also
References
Further reading
- "Trees for Cities asks Ealing: ‘How do you like them apples?’". Ealing Times. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- "Trees for Cities offers edible playgrounds to school". Horticulture Week. January 13, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- "Trees For Cities brave the wintry winds to plant 20 new trees in Ruskin Park, south London". Brixton Buzz news, features and listings for Brixton, London. February 27, 2016. Retrieved March 31, 2016.
- "CAMPAIGN HERO: Sharon Johnson, Trees for Cities". The Ecologist. January 25, 2012. Retrieved March 31, 2016.