Trees are planetary heroes. With their carbon-busting, habitat-protecting and wellbeing-boosting powers, they can help ensure a greener, healthier, happier future for us and for our planet.
But worldwide, trees are under threat. Since humans started clearing forests for agriculture, urban development and more, 46% of trees have been felled. That’s more than 3 trillion trees lost forever.
Now, as we feel the impacts of climate change ever more strongly, being a Force for Nature has never been more important. As we come together globally to tackle the climate crisis and face the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on our mental health and day-to-day lives, it’s vital that we act now to protect the future of our planet.
In recent months, we have seen just how powerful young people can be as a force for nature if they have the tools and the opportunity to speak up. 89% of young people surveyed believe that they can make a difference on climate change and help build a greener future. And the Young Tree Champions programme exists to empower them to get involved.
By becoming Young Tree Champions, young people deepen their connections with each other as well as with trees and nature, improving their mental and physical health by spending time outdoors, learning more about the amazing role trees and nature have to play in tackling climate change and finding their voice.
Our goals
The Tree Council knows from 50 years of planting and protecting trees that young people care deeply about the planet. By working together with teachers and partners Learning through Landscapes, Speakers Trust, the University of Derby and Eco-schools, we aim to inspire children to: grow deeper connections with each other, trees and nature to help reduce their anxiety and encourage them to feel positive about our future; to learn about the amazing role of trees can play in tackling the crisis and the skills needed to care and maintain the health of trees; and to share their action and passion by speaking up for trees and nature to help create a greener future.
We have created a fantastic package of resources and support for schools to enable you to become a Force for Nature. Check out our Getting Involved page to start your children’s journey to becoming Young Tree Champions.
Get involved
What we’ve achieved
Since the Young Tree Champions programme launched in 2020, thousands of young people across the country have got involved to stand up for nature and make their voice heard. From embedding trees into their curriculum, planting orchards to developing new skills to making their schools pollinator-friendly, our amazing Young Tree Champions have made an incredible difference in just a few short months.
Find out more
About our partner M&G plc
The Tree Council are working in partnership with M&G plc, the savings and investment company that truly understands the value of trees to fighting climate change. By inspiring young people to become young tree champions, we hope to help create a healthier future, for the environment and each other. We are incredibly grateful to M&G plc for their fantastic support which will enable us to reach some of the most underserved communities in Britain and inspire them to be a #ForceForNature.
About The Tree Council
The Tree Council brings everyone with a shared mission to care for trees and our planet’s future. We inspire and empower organisations, government, communities and individuals with the knowledge and tools to create positive, lasting change at a national and local level. We’ve been supporting young people to plant and care for trees for fifty years.
* Source: 2015 study in the journal Nature, quoted by nationalgeographic.com.
