This winter, Stichting Meerbomen will plant at least 1 million trees in the Netherlands by giving them away for free. Together with volunteers, the surplus of young trees in nature reserves or city parks is collected under the supervision of the forester. Subsequently, these young seedlings are given a new place where they are desired in the countryside, in backyards, on business parks and municipal roads. There they get the chance to grow into an adult specimen. Planting trees is the solution to slow down climate change and restore biodiversity. Do you want to join? Register as a volunteer at stichting Meerbomen.

"The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now."  Chinese Proverb.

 There are also great initiatives to plant trees in Europe. The Life Terra reforestation project aims to plant 500 million trees across Europe within five years. It involves an investment of 12.8 million euros. Sixteen participants from eight countries are associated with the project. The initiators of the reforestation project refer to a Chinese saying: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. One of the objectives of the project is to make an important contribution to the European Green Deal, in which it has been agreed, among other things, that 3 billion trees must be planted by 2030. The trees are planted as much as possible on vacant lots in the cities, in areas where many trees have been lost due to forest fires and in other places restore biodiversity. Do you want to join? Read about Life Terra.

"Join our mission to restore lands near you. Plant trees, become a volunteer, trial our education course, organize a restoration project, offer land, donate a tree or compensate your carbon." Photography: Marieke Vennik