Formation 1993 Chief Executive Sharon Johnson | Region served UK, world Website www.treesforcities.org | |
Legal status Non-profit company and registered charity Purpose Planting trees in deprived urban areas | ||
Trees for Cities is a tree planting charity in the United Kingdom.
Contents
History
The charity was founded by Jake Kempston, Belinda Winder, Jane Bruton & Julian Blake in 1993, initially as Trees for London 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". 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, the charity's founder CEO moved to become Chair of the board of trustees. Graham Simmonds is also Chairman of the environmental employee engagement company Viridien.
The charity has a history of unusual office locations. Originally based on HMS Belfast, 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 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. 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.