Take a deep breath. Thank the nearby trees as you feel your lungs fill with clean, fresh air. Trees do many things for our environment; providing clean, breathable air is just the tip of the iceberg. 

Trees act as natural air purifiers, absorbing particulate pollutants and carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. Not only do they provide people with the right conditions to breathe, but they also help wildlife and other living things that depend on oxygen to live. Loving your planet means ensuring there’s clean air for everyone to breathe — and planting trees is an excellent way to do so.

If you have never had trouble accessing water, it is easy to take it for granted. But for a moment, let’s pretend we’re a squirrel or deer in a forest, scouting for water that you need to survive. Now, while these animals may not have a faucet they can turn on, they do know where to look. 

Forests are vital in maintaining drinking water resources by regulating water cycles, absorbing stormwater, and preventing soil erosion. Without the world’s forests, access to clean drinking water would be few and far between. By planting trees, you will be helping global forests maintain water resources for all living things that rely on them.

Everything is connected. The health of forests is intrinsically linked to communities' public health. 

Healthy trees and forests enhance public health by reducing exposure to air and water pollution and providing habitats that support diverse ecosystems. Trees are also statistically known to help promote mental health. Spending time around trees can help reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and improve overall mood. Not only are trees a beautiful gift for the environment, but planting trees can be a radical act of self-care.

Trees do so much more for communities besides helping improve their health. Reforestation also provides a significant benefit to local communities. Communities benefit from reforestation projects through improved livelihoods, increased resource access, and sustainable development.

Many reforestation projects empower marginalized people by providing them with jobs and opportunities to make an impact in their local communities. From indigenous people to women of color, reforestation efforts help make vital social impacts daily. By loving your planet this Valentine’s Day, you’re also showing love for the people who need them the most.

As global temperatures continue to rise, scientists are tirelessly looking for ways to protect the planet from climate change. But the good news is that trees are one of the best natural resources to combat the effects of climate change. 

As any tree enthusiast would know, trees play a critical role in the fight against climate change, as they absorb carbon dioxide and increase the climate change resilience of ecosystems and communities. By mitigating the effects of climate change, trees can ensure that ecosystems are protected and able to thrive for generations to come. 

For anyone unfamiliar with trees, it’s easy to think they are solitary beings. They exist to clean air and water but don’t interact much with the ecosystems surrounding them. After all, they are just trees. They can’t talk, right? Well, it turns out trees can communicate. They communicate with other trees through their root systems to share nutrients, warn each other of dander, and more.

Underpinned by this incredible mycelial network, forests support diverse flora and fauna, contributing to the richness and resilience of our ecosystems. From creating habitat for wildlife to protecting the soil for plant growth, trees are crucial to preserving biodiversity in ecosystems.