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Support reforestation this Earth Month to help nature thrive.

Transforming
Global Landscapes Where we work

Science-based. Community-led.
Designed for long-term impact.

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Why Focus on Landscape
Restoration?

75% of the Earth’s land surface has been significantly altered by human hands—cleared, degraded, or exploited in ways that threaten the balance of life.

One Tree Planted is on a mission to change that. Our work prioritizes the restoration of 14 critical landscapes—places where forests, people, wildlife, and climate intersect. Where reforestation can weave broken ecosystems and fragmented habitats back together. 

We don’t ask: where can we plant trees? We ask: where can trees restore the most life? Our Priority Landscapes are designated based on several criteria, including an urgent need for reforestation and land restoration, their importance as climate-critical regions, and their position along Key Biodiversity Corridors. 

This is how we rebuild the living infrastructure that sustains all of life on Earth.

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The Priority Landscapes Where We Work

From the Guinean Forests of West Africa to the Brazilian megacity São Paulo, the landscapes and priority cities where we work are some of the world’s most ecologically priceless yet severely degraded places—and reforestation is urgently needed.

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By 2050, 68% of the global population will live in urban areas — making it more important than ever to restore urban forests that protect clean air, stabilize our climate, and support the ecosystems cities depend on.

Click here to learn about Urban Forestry

What Our Priority Landscapes Support

Healthy, restored forests are the foundation of biodiverse, interconnected landscapes that support thriving life—from wildlife to communities. They stabilize the soil, store water and nutrients, cycle moisture through evapotranspiration, nurture biodiversity, and help regulate the atmosphere through photosynthesis. At the center of it all, are trees.

Climate

Reforested landscapes strengthen one of Earth’s most effective natural climate solutions...

Reforested landscapes strengthen one of Earth’s most effective natural climate solutions: forests currently absorb 30% of the CO2 that humanity creates. During photosynthesis, trees absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to build trunks, branches, and roots. Forest soils store even more carbon in plant roots, leaf litter, and other organic materials. And even deeper, carbon is anchored by a symbiotic web of roots, fungi, and microbes. 

Young Forests Capture Carbon Quicker than Previously Thought, Global Forest Watch

How Forests Store Carbon, Penn State Extension

Biodiversity

Around one million animal and plant species are threatened by extinction, many within decades.

Around one million animal and plant species are threatened by extinction, many within decades. The world’s forests are a refuge from these intense pressures, sheltering a breathtaking 80% of terrestrial species of animals, plants and insects. Restoring forest landscapes reconnects fragmented Key Biodiversity Areas and wildlife corridors, enabling migration, habitat recovery, and gene flow. At a time when many species are more threatened than ever, this is critical.

Living Planet Report, WWF   

UN Report: Nature’s Dangerous Decline ‘Unprecedented’; Species Extinction Rates ‘Accelerating’, UN  

Forests, desertification and biodiversity, UN

Water

The presence of healthy, restored forests in landscapes leads to more reliable rainwater...

The presence of healthy, restored forests in landscapes leads to more reliable rainwater capture, reducing the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Their intricate root systems act like filters, removing pollutants and slowing the absorption of water into the soil—reducing erosion and soil oversaturation. These natural processes make trees vital green infrastructure across urban and rural landscapes.

Water Uptake and Transport in Vascular Plants, Nature

Purdue Landscape Report: How do trees use water?, Purdue University

Social impact

Land degradation already significantly impacts 3 billion people with shrinking access...

Land degradation already significantly impacts 3 billion people with shrinking access to clean water and nutritious food, declining rural incomes, and desertification. Reforestation is a powerful way to heal landscapes, restoring life-sustaining ecosystem services such as clean air, pure and plentiful water, fertile soil, and thriving native biodiversity. 

Three billion people globally impacted by land degradation, UN News  

Global Restoration Initiative, WRI

Frequently Asked Questions

Answer

Forest landscape restoration (FLR) is a process that focuses on restoring ecological function and improving human well-being across degraded or deforested forest landscapes. At One Tree Planted, this means strategically focusing our work in global landscapes that have been identified as having the greatest need. These areas typically have experienced significant land degradation, are in climate critical regions, or house Key Biodiversity Corridors.

Answer

Tree planting is one of several effective landscape restoration strategies. It involves establishing trees in specific locations that have experienced significant land degradation. Landscape scale restoration, by contrast, involves coordinating many planting and management strategies across an entire landscape.

Looking at the bigger picture allows us to consider all of the factors that impact and interact with each planting area. Based on these unique impacts, techniques such as tree planting, assisted natural regeneration, or agroforestry are used to improve biodiversity, water, soil, and livelihoods.

Answer

One Tree Planted landscapes are clearly defined geographic areas that have been prioritized for restoration. They are prioritized based on several factors, including:

  • Ecological processes
  • Demonstrated environmental need
  • Existing restoration programs
  • Strategic alignment

Make an impact
with Reforestation

Since 2014, we have planted over 171 million trees with 489 partners in 5 global regions.
Donate now to support our mission.

Since 2014, we have planted over 171 million trees with 489 partners in 5
global regions.

Donate now to support our mission.

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