According to ReTree Hawaii, every plant contributes to reducing the effects of climate change and beautifying our islands.

Individuals, organizations and counties are planting trees and other plants across the state throughout the month of November 2021.

This year’s campaign follows on last year’s successful planting event on Oct. 30, when people came together on six of the seven populated Hawaiian islands to increase the number of trees and other plants binding carbon and releasing oxygen in the state.

Rob Weltman, chief organizer of ReTree Hawaii, spearheaded the campaign last year, stating: “Planting trees is one of the most effective actions ordinary citizens can take to mitigate climate change, and it will provide many additional benefits for Maui County.”

Weltman recognized the urgency of the climate crisis facing island environments such as Hawaii, with rising sea levels and extreme weather events.

Other organizations saw this initiative as of major importance.

Common Ground Collective President Ananda Stone commented, “As an island community, we are particularly vulnerable to climate change, and we’re already experiencing effects from it.

“Since trees offer so many ecosystem services, like protecting watersheds, filtering pollutants, enhancing biodiversity, all while sequestering carbon. we should absolutely be planting trees.”

Andy Fox with Friends of Haleakala believes, “There has never been a more urgent time to invest in island resilience and adaptation.”

Many organizations in Hawaii are joining the effort with 56 supporting organizations and 21 planting sites signed up already. There are more every week.

To register a site for planting or to volunteer, go to retree-hawaii.org/planting. Choose “Register the site” if you would like to register a new planting site.

An interactive map of all registered sites — as well as a list of sites to volunteer — is provided under “I want to plant at a planting site.”

Clicking on any map pin describes each site, what they are planning and lists their volunteer needs.

Anyone can register a new planting site, participate as an individual planter or volunteer at one of the registered sites on the website.

Due to COVID-19, organizers are encouraging everyone to also plant trees and gardens wherever they can, and then register their planting at retree-hawaii.org/planting under “Register my home plants” to be entered in the statewide count.

For questions, contact Coordinator Rob Weltman at (808) 354-0490 or info@retree-hawaii.org.