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Planting Urban Trees Around the World with Microsoft

by Meaghan Weeden ● September 12, 2023 ● 3 min read

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Planting Urban Trees Around the World with Microsoft

As part of their ongoing efforts to improve green spaces and support the communities where their data centers are located, Microsoft began working with One Tree Planted in 2021. Through this partnership, Microsoft is planting urban trees in their datacenter communities.

In 2022-23, Microsoft supported 9 urban forestry projects in 8 countries and 9 cities. Once all of these projects have wrapped up, we anticipate that they will have planted 87,000 trees.

So far, we have planted 34,695 of those trees to restore 18.02 acres of land together. These plantings have engaged 744 community volunteers and Microsoft employees. We estimate that approximately 14,000 people will be positively impacted by the trees that have been planted so far.

Microsoft's 2022-2023 Urban Forestry Impact Map

THREE OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE PLANTING URBAN TREES WITH MICROSOFT

1. AUSTRALIA 2023 – HEBERSHAM TREE PLANTING

This project, which was implemented collaboratively with the local government and residents, planted 400 trees in the streets of Hebersham, New South Wales. The tree species planted included Red Maple, Brush Box, Tulip Tree, and many more.

Hebersham is one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Sydney and has a high proportion of residents that are from low-income households, and are highly vulnerable to the health and economic impacts from increased heat.

Planting more trees in the area will increase the livability, health and wellness of the population as well as reduce their vulnerability to summer heat and heat waves.

This project gathered input from residents about the most effective options for street tree planting to cool neighborhoods and reduce power bills. Our local partner also surveyed residents about tree species that they would like to see planted on their streets, directly engaging them in this effort, and improving resilience in the community.

2. INDONESIA 2023 - JAKARTA RESTORING RIVERS AND HELPING COMMUNITIES

This project planted 22,800 fruit trees, as well as deep rooted grasses, along riparian zones to reduce erosion in areas that were deforested due to urban development and farming activities. The site areas are located within the Citarum River Watershed, which almost 60 million people depend on for household water use. It also supplies approximately 40% of the rice irrigation in West Java and contributes to the West Java power grid by providing clean hydro-power.

This critical resource is in trouble due to deforestation and population pressure. This project worked to address this problem by planting trees along riparian zones and introducing agroforestry to the local community to reduce erosion.

In addition to safeguarding a critical watershed, the planted trees were carefully selected to encourage native bird, reptile and amphibian species. Another part of this project involved planting trees in an educational arboretum that focuses on biodiversity and preserving native species. This space conducts community tours and provides educational facilities for local youth.

3. IRELAND 2023 - CLONDALKIN COMMUNITY TREE COVER PROJECT

This project centered around a community-led initiative and engaged local community groups, schools, clubs, organizations and individuals to plant 8,000 native trees in Clondalkin, a fast-growing community southwest of Dublin.

Our on the ground partner emphasizes giving communities a lot of ownership in developing the projects that will directly impact them. Residents and community groups come to them to begin a project, guiding where trees are needed and planted. As the trees grow and mature, they create more diverse and interesting green spaces than what was there before.

The goals for this project included improving the local environment for carbon sequestration, flood prevention and shelter and shade provision. Urban wildlife will benefit from a network of tree cover to expand existing areas of trees, improving the scope for biodiversity support of existing green spaces. The people of Clondalkin will enjoy the connection of new to preexisting green spaces through green corridor creation, creating positive, inclusive green spaces for improved health and wellbeing.

We are proud to have worked together with Microsoft on these projects, and we look forward to continuing to work together to improve green spaces and support the communities where their data centers are located.

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Meaghan Weeden

Meaghan works to share our story far and wide, manages our blog calendar, coordinates with the team on projects + campaigns, and ensures our brand voice is reflected across channels. With a background in communications and an education in environmental conservation, she is passionate about leveraging her creativity to help the environment!