Planting for the Planet

The Plant for the Planet Campaign was launched in February 2003, by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in an effort to discourage deforestation. The campaign aims to promote reforestation and inspire communities to embark on major tree planting initiatives; and to develop a culture of planting and caring for trees, especially among children.

The Plant for the Planet campaign mainly targets schools and children aged 14 years and below. It solicits the participation of other members of the community and the private sector to become involved in tree planting.

The Campaign was initiated with schools in Nairobi and other parts of Kenya in 2003 and since its inception a biannual tree planting event has been hosted by UNEP and participating schools. The tree planting is pegged to the rainy season of March/April and October/November. Thousands of trees have been planted in Kenya by over 440 schools from ten districts. Every year, the number of schools participating in the Campaign continues to increase.

The Campaign has been initiated in Cameroon, Ghana and Malaysia, Since 2007  UNEP has expanded the Campaign to the Billion Tree Campaign which aims at encouraging people, communities, businesses and industry, governments and civil society organizations to plant trees. More countries and partners are invited to join the Campaign.

The main accomplishment of the Campaign is that children and communities have continued to appreciate the importance of trees and embraced planting and are committed to caring for the samplings and conserving forests and woodlots. The actions recorded particularly in the UNEP bulletin board are a clear indication that awareness and commitment towards tree planting is taking root. The interest registered by schools and communities in participating in the Campaign as well as the sharp increase in the number if trees planted are a positive indicator of the dedication towards reforestation.

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