SILVER SPRING, MD. - Trees for the Future, a U.S.-based nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization helping communities worldwide plant fruit and forest trees through seed distribution and agroforestry training, kicked off its 20th year in existence with renewed support and recognition for its efforts helping communities around the world. The Maryland legislature recently recognized the contributions of Trees with a resolution introduced by Senators Richard Madaleno and Brian Frosh and Delegate Al Carr.
"We are honored to be recognized for our efforts," said Dave Deppner, founder of Trees for the Future. "This resolution shows that the state of Maryland understands the value that trees bring to the community and environment."
Based in Silver Spring, Md., Trees has planted more than 65 million trees worldwide while educating and supporting community leaders around the world in efforts to restore forests lost to illegal and unsustainable logging practices. Since the Haitian earthquake, the organization has received renewed attention for its years of work in helping rural areas of the Caribbean country develop a more sustainable approach to agroforestry.
Trees' team of experts travels to rural areas around the world to meet with farmers and community leaders and provide education and assistance on the most environmentally friendly ways to plant and harvest trees. Their methods, based on sound scientific research, are designed to help sustain individual farms and the communities they support for years to come.
"After all of these years of working with trees, I've learned to take the long-term view," Deppner said. "Just as it takes years for a tree to grow to maturity, it can take a long time for this kind of work to take root. We plan on being around at least another 20 years from now to see the results of our hard work."
