Branches of Hope: The Arbor Day Foundation’s Mission in Motion

At 1 Hotels, our mission goes beyond hospitality. It’s about creating harmony, between people and place, between comfort and consciousness, between our guests and the natural world. This Earth Month, we’re proud to bring that mission to life through our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, a global leader in reforestation and conservation. For more than 50 years, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked to plant trees, restore ecosystems, and inspire environmental stewardship around the world. As one of the largest nonprofit conservation organizations globally, they’ve helped plant more than 500 million trees in communities and landscapes that need them most, from city streets to fire-scarred forests.

Now, we’re joining forces to plant 100,000 native trees in a California nursery, grown specifically for reforestation efforts in wildfire-affected areas across the state. These trees will help restore critical canopy cover, renew local ecosystems, and support long-term climate resilience in a region that continues to feel the effects of a warming planet.

At 1 Hotel West Hollywood, we’ve seen firsthand the toll wildfires have taken on the LA community. The 100,000 trees grown through our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation will support the long-term restoration of wildfire-impacted communities, providing cleaner air, cooler neighborhoods, and vibrant biodiversity back to the region for generations to come. To learn more about the impact of our partnership and the powerful work behind each tree planted, we sat down with the Arbor Day Foundation to dig deeper into their mission, approach, and vision for the future.

Reforesting the Future with the Arbor Day Foundation

Can you provide an overview of the Arbor Day Foundation's mission and its primary initiatives? 

The Arbor Day Foundation is a global nonprofit inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. We're working to pursue a future where all life flourishes through the power of trees. Founded in 1973, we have planted over a half a billion trees in more than 60 countries. Using our Forest Priority Index, we identify and plant in the forests where trees will have the largest impact.

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, how has the Arbor Day Foundation approached reforestation efforts in affected areas, and what specific strategies are employed to ensure successful forest recovery?

In the aftermath of the Los Angeles fires, the Arbor Day Foundation has taken a community-centered approach, working closely with government agencies and local partners on the ground to restore both the natural environment and the well-being of the communities affected. Wildfires not only devastate ecosystems but also disrupt lives.

Because of this, planting after a wildfire may not begin right away, but the work of assessing needs and directing support to priorities is already underway in the recovery efforts for the LA wildfires. We know what it takes to rebuild urban and forest canopy after wildfires. We’ve been restoring tree canopy in California for decades—3.2 million trees have been planted across the state. Fire-damaged soil becomes compacted and stripped of nutrients, making it difficult for young trees to take root. It takes at least 12 months for the soil to fully recover. And as we wait, we focus on preparing. Then, when people and the land are ready, we plant with intention—growing resilience one tree at a time.

How does the Foundation determine the priority regions for tree planting, and what criteria are used to assess where trees can have the most significant environmental impact? 

We use data and technology to identify forests of greatest need. The Arbor Day Foundation’s Forest Priority Index provides a balanced, rich data set that will identify the forests where trees’ benefits can be maximized. The index weighs and accounts for where we can plant trees to most improve biodiversity, mitigate the impacts of climate change, and support indigenous and community lands.

Beyond tree planting, what additional programs or initiatives does the Arbor Day Foundation implement to strengthen communities and promote environmental stewardship among individuals and organizations?

The Arbor Day Foundation offers several complementary programs including Tree City USA and Tree Cities of the World, which recognizes communities committed to urban forestry management, and Tree Campus programs for higher education, K-12 schools and healthcare campuses to recognize their contributions to healthier greenspaces. The Foundation also provides educational resources and engagement opportunities through conservation-focused initiatives like the Tree Line USA program for utility companies and the Alliance for Community Trees.

For individuals and communities interested in supporting reforestation, what opportunities does the Arbor Day Foundation offer for volunteering or becoming planting partners, and how can they get involved in local projects?

Individuals can support reforestation through the Arbor Day Foundation's membership program, direct donations to specific forest recovery projects, or participation in Community Tree Recovery initiatives. The Foundation connects volunteers with local planting partners through their Alliance for Community Trees network. Communities can apply to become planting partners or participate in coordinated volunteer events, especially during spring and fall planting seasons.

Given that Earth Month is a time to raise environmental awareness, what specific actions or campaigns does the Arbor Day Foundation promote during this period to encourage sustainable practices and greater participation in tree planting efforts?
 

This Earth Month, join us in making a difference for our planet! We invite communities nationwide to celebrate Arbor Day (the last Friday in April) through meaningful tree plantings, educational workshops and official ceremonies. 

Take part in our Planet Pledge campaign by committing to planet-friendly actions. Learn about critical environmental issues, act through conservation efforts, and share your journey to inspire others.

We're proud to offer free resources including celebration guides, promotional materials, and tree selection advice to help schools, businesses, neighborhoods, and individuals create lasting environmental impact. Together, we can transform our communities and build a greener future—one tree at a time.

Reflecting on the broader environmental challenges we face today, how does the Arbor Day Foundation envision the role of reforestation in combating climate change, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering resilient ecosystems for future generations?

We believe tree planting is one of the best ways we can help the planet right now, and we aren’t alone—experts and 89% of Americans believe trees are a necessity right now. Trees are one of the most scalable and cost-effective solutions to addressing climate change, and reforestation is viewed as one of the most addressable climate-related challenges we face.