How does JUST ONE Tree work?
We have teamed up with a network of reforestation partners in specific poverty stricken locations that already have an existing working infrastructure. We raise awareness of how cheap and simple it is to plant trees. It's through joining forces with individuals, schools and businesses that we're able to fund these projects. And in doing so, not only do we help mitigate climate change, we also improve the lives of the communities, providing them with agricultural education and sustainable incomes for a better future.
Why are you a social enterprise and not a charity?
JUST ONE Tree is a non-profit social enterprise known here in the UK as a Community Interest Company.
Charities appoint a board of trustees consisting of a minimum of 3 people who govern the charity, directing how it is run and managed. Effectively they are in control of the company. We would prefer to keep those decisions in our own hands, and as a CIC it means we're able to move swiftly if we need to.
JUST ONE Tree is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee, which means there is an asset lock on the company stipulating any profits have to go back into doing social good - in this case planting more trees, helping provide sustainable incomes for thousands of people and supporting great reforestation projects.
After we've planted your first tree for £1, (and use 3p towards our Kelp Regeneration project), if there are any pennies left over, we accumulate those pennies and use them to plant even more trees.
All in all, we feel we can do more good being classed as a Community Interest Company rather than a charity.
Charities appoint a board of trustees consisting of a minimum of 3 people who govern the charity, directing how it is run and managed. Effectively they are in control of the company. We would prefer to keep those decisions in our own hands, and as a CIC it means we're able to move swiftly if we need to.
JUST ONE Tree is a Community Interest Company limited by guarantee, which means there is an asset lock on the company stipulating any profits have to go back into doing social good - in this case planting more trees, helping provide sustainable incomes for thousands of people and supporting great reforestation projects.
After we've planted your first tree for £1, (and use 3p towards our Kelp Regeneration project), if there are any pennies left over, we accumulate those pennies and use them to plant even more trees.
All in all, we feel we can do more good being classed as a Community Interest Company rather than a charity.
How do you know the trees are being planted?
We choose our reforestation partners extremely carefully. Our main concern from the very start of JUST ONE Tree was to ensure the money raised meant a tree in the ground rather than unknowingly lining the pocket of the wrong person in a far away country.
For this very reason, each of our partners goes through a due diligence process and needs to meet certain very strict criteria - such as governance and impact (both environmental and social). They need to be well established and respected organisations who have a completely tried, tested and successful infrastructure in place. It has to be imperative for the reputation of their own charity or organisation, that the people they employ are totally trustworthy - from their co-ordination offices through to those on the ground in the local communities.
In addition, the survival rates of the trees are taken into consideration along with whether native species are planted, what the price per tree is, what those costs include, the maintenance of the trees after they’re planted and who owns the land the trees are planted on.
The planting sites are continuously reported and monitored, and the reforestation companies themselves are audited by third party verification companies such as the Botanic Gardens Conservation International and the Department Of Physical Geography at Stockholm University.
For this very reason, each of our partners goes through a due diligence process and needs to meet certain very strict criteria - such as governance and impact (both environmental and social). They need to be well established and respected organisations who have a completely tried, tested and successful infrastructure in place. It has to be imperative for the reputation of their own charity or organisation, that the people they employ are totally trustworthy - from their co-ordination offices through to those on the ground in the local communities.
In addition, the survival rates of the trees are taken into consideration along with whether native species are planted, what the price per tree is, what those costs include, the maintenance of the trees after they’re planted and who owns the land the trees are planted on.
The planting sites are continuously reported and monitored, and the reforestation companies themselves are audited by third party verification companies such as the Botanic Gardens Conservation International and the Department Of Physical Geography at Stockholm University.
Why do you not plant locally?
We have many reasons as to why JUST ONE Tree is initially planting further afield.
Although the UK and Europe have lost half their original forests, and there is no doubt these forests need to be replaced, there is scientific evidence that planting forests nearer the equator has the greatest cooling effect on the planet.
Planting in the UK is also more expensive. As we're facing a climate emergency, we feel it's better to plant 10-15 trees in these countries than 1 tree closer to home. It is also in these countries that the people, as well as the soon to be extinct species, need our help.
We love the idea of having a two fold benefit to our organisation whereby we help those that are truly struggling at the same time as combating the larger problem of climate change.
That being said we will be exploring the possibility of expanding into local planting projects in the future.
Although the UK and Europe have lost half their original forests, and there is no doubt these forests need to be replaced, there is scientific evidence that planting forests nearer the equator has the greatest cooling effect on the planet.
Planting in the UK is also more expensive. As we're facing a climate emergency, we feel it's better to plant 10-15 trees in these countries than 1 tree closer to home. It is also in these countries that the people, as well as the soon to be extinct species, need our help.
We love the idea of having a two fold benefit to our organisation whereby we help those that are truly struggling at the same time as combating the larger problem of climate change.
That being said we will be exploring the possibility of expanding into local planting projects in the future.
How can you plant a tree for just £1?
Sadly in these impoverished countries a pound goes a long way. Planting costs vary from country to country, from as little as $0.15, $0.33, £0.70, 0.65€ and upwards. A proportion from each pound is allocated to the following:
The cost of locally sourcing the native seeds, or where needed, the purchase from a seed bank.
The cost of growing the tree in a nursery.
The species of the tree and how much care that species requires.
Material and transport costs.
Preparation of planting sites.
Maintenance of the tree.
Education and training costs.
Employment of the local community members.
Protection and monitoring of the planting sites.
Operating costs.
Bank charges.
As JUST ONE Tree is a non-profit organisation any pennies left over after the purchase of the initial tree will be accumulated to cover the planting of more trees. That's why JUST £1 plants at least 1 tree. This will enable us to plant in larger planting blocks, which is a prerequisite with some reforestation companies, or for us to plant in more expensive areas. 3p from every pound donated also goes towards our Kelp Regeneration project with the Climate Foundation.
The cost of locally sourcing the native seeds, or where needed, the purchase from a seed bank.
The cost of growing the tree in a nursery.
The species of the tree and how much care that species requires.
Material and transport costs.
Preparation of planting sites.
Maintenance of the tree.
Education and training costs.
Employment of the local community members.
Protection and monitoring of the planting sites.
Operating costs.
Bank charges.
As JUST ONE Tree is a non-profit organisation any pennies left over after the purchase of the initial tree will be accumulated to cover the planting of more trees. That's why JUST £1 plants at least 1 tree. This will enable us to plant in larger planting blocks, which is a prerequisite with some reforestation companies, or for us to plant in more expensive areas. 3p from every pound donated also goes towards our Kelp Regeneration project with the Climate Foundation.
Do you plant from seeds or saplings?
This depends on the tree and the country we are planting in. The majority are grown from seeds in nurseries until they reach either seedling or sapling size. They are then transported and planted during the rainy season.
Mangroves however are planted directly from propugales.
Mangroves however are planted directly from propugales.
What species do you plant?
This depends from region to region, as we only plant native species. We would never introduce a foreign species into any of our planting projects.
We do plant a lot of Mangroves however as they are massive carbon sinks. They also help preserve the health of local aquatic ecosystems, such as nearby coral and three quarters of all tropical fish species are born within their roots. They're actually pretty impressive.
We do plant a lot of Mangroves however as they are massive carbon sinks. They also help preserve the health of local aquatic ecosystems, such as nearby coral and three quarters of all tropical fish species are born within their roots. They're actually pretty impressive.
When will my tree be planted?
This varies from location to location depending on a number of factors; for example the time of year, weather cycles and climate. Most trees are planted during the rainy season in order to maximise the success of their survival.
What happens after the tree is planted?
After the trees are planted they are watered, weeded, maintained, monitored and protected.
What is agroforestry?
Agroforestry is the term used to describe agriculture that uses trees to its benefit. Planting trees in fields improves soil fertility, prevents soil erosion and can give farmers higher yields because of the richer nutrients. A forest floor can also provide the necessary shady conditions for certain crops to flourish.
How does planting a tree help against deforestation?
It is surprising how much deforestation is caused directly by local communities. The destruction due to forest fires, illegal logging and the large scale re-use of land for agriculture (such as palm oil plantations) is well known. But we were shocked at how much was directly caused by the needs of the local people.
With few options available to them, often these poverty stricken families turn to their environment in order to survive. They use the wood for construction, to cook with, keep warm, providing unsustainable incomes such as charcoal production to sell on the roadside and to farm on the land to feed themselves. Unfortunately, it’s a downward spiral, and although initially it solves short-term problems, there are devastating long term consequences for the local communities, the local environment and the world as a whole.
By employing these families however, we’re giving them sustainable incomes and agricultural education. The benefits of planting and maintaining trees becomes evident. This infrastructure supports a better way of life, lifting them out of poverty and the negative cycle of destruction is broken.
It is important to work with the local communities. Having their support and enthusiasm ensures the protection of the trees and the longevity of the reforestation effort.
With few options available to them, often these poverty stricken families turn to their environment in order to survive. They use the wood for construction, to cook with, keep warm, providing unsustainable incomes such as charcoal production to sell on the roadside and to farm on the land to feed themselves. Unfortunately, it’s a downward spiral, and although initially it solves short-term problems, there are devastating long term consequences for the local communities, the local environment and the world as a whole.
By employing these families however, we’re giving them sustainable incomes and agricultural education. The benefits of planting and maintaining trees becomes evident. This infrastructure supports a better way of life, lifting them out of poverty and the negative cycle of destruction is broken.
It is important to work with the local communities. Having their support and enthusiasm ensures the protection of the trees and the longevity of the reforestation effort.
I own a business, can we plant trees with you?
Yes please! We have collective of businesses from all different industries that want to give back to the environment and we welcome any that would like to join our growing JUST ONE Tree network. Simply head here for more info.
We’ll work alongside you to devise a donation plan that best suits your business. There are many options available, from regular donations to planting a tree for every product or service provided.
Others prefer creating a tree fund, where anything from a pound, ten pence or even a penny from every sale is donated.
We’ll work alongside you to devise a donation plan that best suits your business. There are many options available, from regular donations to planting a tree for every product or service provided.
Others prefer creating a tree fund, where anything from a pound, ten pence or even a penny from every sale is donated.
Can you support my tree planting organisation?
We are always very keen to hear from any organisation that helps to improve our planet, from those clearing plastic from the ocean, to future reforestation partners. All are welcome - we’d love to hear from you.
I'm not in the UK can I still donate from overseas?
Yes! All are welcome. Our donation page accepts credit cards and paypal. However please email us directly to set up a regular donation or standing order.
