FAQ

We partner with carefully selected conservation, reforestation and research nonprofit organizations in Central and South America. Donations made to any of the projects are pooled together and sent to our partners to cover the cost of planting the trees. Conversely, when purchasing trees by species, the purchased trees are pooled together with a larger and more diverse plantation to ensure a healthy forest develops.

Use our Carbon Calculator to estimate your emissions from activities like travel and energy use. The tool then suggests native tree species to plant, helping you decarbonize your impact effectively.

Our projects are located around de world and in biodiversity hotspots, including:

• Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica
• Chaparri Dry Andean Forest, Peru
• Madre de Dios Amazon Forests, Peru
• Acre Amazon Forests, Brazil
• Pantanal Mangroves and Forests, Brazil
• Tijuca Forest, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Tree planting is one of the most impactful actions we can take to combat climate change and protect our planet’s natural systems. Planting native trees specifically enhances ecosystems by addressing key environmental challenges. Here’s a detailed look at how tree planting contributes to environmental health:

1. Capturing Carbon Emissions

Trees act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere and storing it in their trunks, branches, leaves, and roots.

• Photosynthesis Process: Trees convert CO₂ into oxygen, cleaning the air we breathe.
• Long-Term Carbon Storage: Mature forests hold vast amounts of carbon in their biomass and soil.
• Climate Regulation: By reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels, trees help mitigate global warming and stabilize local climates.

Native species are particularly effective because they adapt well to local conditions, ensuring higher survival rates and sustained carbon capture.

2. Restoring Ecosystems

Deforestation, land degradation, and climate change have severely damaged ecosystems worldwide. Planting trees can reverse these effects.

• Soil Health: Trees prevent erosion, enrich the soil with organic matter, and promote water retention.
• Water Cycle: Forests play a critical role in regulating the water cycle by capturing and filtering rainfall, replenishing groundwater reserves.
• Climate Resilience: Healthy ecosystems are more resilient to climate change impacts such as droughts and floods.

Replanting native trees ensures that restoration efforts align with the natural balance of the ecosystem.

3. Preserving Biodiversity

Forests are home to 80% of the world’s terrestrial species, making them critical for biodiversity conservation.

• Native Flora and Fauna: Native trees support local plants and animals that depend on specific habitats.
• Pollinator Support: Trees provide food and shelter for pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds, ensuring the survival of vital ecological processes.
• Preventing Extinction: Tree planting helps protect endangered species by rebuilding their natural habitats.

Planting native species prevents the introduction of invasive plants that could disrupt local ecosystems.

4. Providing Habitats for Wildlife

Trees are essential for creating and maintaining habitats for countless species of wildlife.

• Food Resources: Fruits, leaves, and seeds from trees provide nourishment for a variety of animals.
• Shelter: Tree canopies offer protection from predators and harsh weather, while hollow trunks serve as homes for birds, bats, and insects.
• Migration Corridors: Restored forests allow wildlife to move freely across landscapes, ensuring genetic diversity and ecosystem health.

Native trees are particularly valuable because they recreate habitats that have evolved over millennia to meet the needs of local species.

Beyond Planting: Caring for Forests

Tree planting is only the beginning. Ensuring the survival of planted trees and nurturing forests over time is vital for achieving long-term environmental benefits. Efforts such as community involvement, monitoring growth, and protecting against deforestation are key to sustaining these positive impacts.

By planting native trees, we can restore balance to the planet, making it healthier and more resilient for generations to come. 🌳

The time between your purchase and the actual tree planting will vary depending on the region you have chosen and the time of year. Planting usually happens at the beginning or amidst the rainy season.

Tree costs vary not only based on region but also on partner, and overall objective of the project. In short, costs can vary depending on factors such as transportation challenges due to the remoteness of the area, the expense of less common tree species, labor costs, and the frequency of on-site monitoring.

We are dedicated to keeping you in the loop on your tree request. You will be informed when your tree request is accepted, when it’s scheduled for planting, and when the planting process begins and ends. You will also receive information about the planting site, including details on the previous land use, land ownership, and the plantation inventory associated with your tree request.

We remain closely engaged with our partners to monitor project progress. We require updates on seedling sourcing and site preparation, and a report after the plantation. The following metrics obtained from on-site investigation allow us to monitor the specifics of a project: total number of trees planted, species planted, survival rate, and total area under restoration. Additional metrics may be reported depending on the objectives of each project. In the longer term (3+ years), we use monitoring workflows that incorporate geospatial technologies backed by the latest high-resolution satellite imagery in order to measure changes in vegetation cover.

Carbon certification and verification requires a unique set of procedures, costs and resources. While our projects have important benefits in terms of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon in biomass, the focus of our projects is on restoring degraded lands into natural, biodiverse forests while providing economic benefits and sustainability education opportunities to the locals.

As an individual, every small action can lead to significant environmental impact. Here’s how you can support Forest Friends:

1. Calculate and Offset Your Carbon Footprint
   Use our Carbon Calculator to measure your emissions from activities like travel, energy use, and consumption. Offset your footprint by funding the planting of native trees in biodiversity hotspots.

2. Plant and Gift Trees
   Celebrate special occasions or honor loved ones by gifting trees. It’s a meaningful, eco-friendly way to contribute to global reforestation efforts. Showcase the Forest Friends certificate.

3. Donate to Our Projects
   Direct donations support our tree-planting programs, community involvement initiatives, and ongoing ecosystem restoration efforts. Every contribution drives impactful change.

4. Spread the Word
   Share our mission on social media, with friends and family, or within your local community. Awareness leads to action, and your voice can inspire others to join the cause.

For more information or inquiries, please contact us.