Let’s plant 1 billion trees
The More Trees Now Project:
Growing a Greener Future for Europe.
Planting Hope, Restoring Ecosystems
Across Europe, communities are stepping forward to confront one of the most urgent challenges of our time: restoring ecosystems and tackling climate change. The More Trees Now Project, funded by Erasmus+ through Leargas, is an ambitious collaboration between six pioneering organisations: Stichting Meergroen (The Netherlands), Síolta Chroí (Ireland), Virsoleil (France), Regeneration Academy (Spain), Rocciaviva (Italy) and the Ecosystem Restoration Communities Foundation (The Netherlands).
Together, we are uniting knowledge, innovation, and community action to build a future where forests thrive, biodiversity flourishes, and people are empowered to take part in climate solutions.
Why More Trees Now?
Since its launch in the Netherlands in 2020, the More Trees Now approach developed by Stichting Meergroen has pioneered a new way of thinking about reforestation. Instead of relying solely on traditional tree nurseries, the campaign mobilises volunteers to collect young trees and shrubs from areas where they would otherwise be cut or unable to mature. These "rescued" saplings are stored in local hubs and later replanted on farms, community lands, and private properties.
The concept has many virtues and goals:
turning climate despair into positive action,
using nature as a nursery,
highlighting ecology as a key solution to the climate crisis,
using billions of saplings that are already 3 -10 years old as additional source of trees from nurseries, and,
most importantly, sequestrating the excess carbon in wood to gain back the 50 years that have been lost with research and planning.
To achieve the last goal, around 30 million km2 of extra forest worldwide is needed, which could serve as a model for uniting a divided humanity around a shared purpose.
The impact has been extraordinary: in just five winters, over 2,5 million trees have been transplanted by more than 34000 volunteers. This approach not only increases genetic diversity by keeping tree genetics local but also places communities at the heart of climate action.
What the Project Aims to Achieve
Through five interconnected work packages, the More Trees Now Project seeks to:
Exchange best practices across different European climates, from wetland-rich Ireland to dry Mediterranean landscapes in Spain, Italy and France.
Develop training programmes that equip adult learners and communities with hands-on reforestation skills.
Advance research on effective, climate-resilient tree planting methods.
Create educational tools, including online courses and multimedia resources, to spread knowledge widely.
Disseminate results through events, networks, and media, ensuring the project’s reach extends far beyond partner countries.
At its core, the project is about scaling up a proven, community-based model of reforestation while strengthening the capacity of local organisations to lead in ecosystem restoration.
Anticipated Outcomes :
By the end of the project, we expect to see:
Thousands of adult learners trained in reforestation and restoration skills
Stronger collaboration between organisations across Europe
Communities more deeply engaged in environmental stewardship
Increased civic participation, especially among those in rural areas with fewer opportunities
A wealth of practical, accessible educational tools to inspire action across Europe and beyond
Ultimately, the project will contribute to climate change mitigation, biodiversity conservation, and the creation of resilient, empowered communities.
Aligning with European Priorities :
The project directly supports Erasmus+ priorities by addressing:
Environment and fight against climate change – through large-scale, community-driven reforestation.
Civic engagement and participation – by involving rural communities, farmers, foresters, and local leaders in climate action.
Innovative learning spaces – by strengthening local learning centres and creating new training opportunities in ecosystem restoration.
This initiative shows how education and hands-on action can merge to create meaningful, lasting change.
An Innovative Approach :
What sets the More Trees Now model apart is its ingenuity and simplicity. By harvesting trees where they naturally sprout in abundance and relocating them to places where they can grow to maturity, the method solves multiple challenges at once:
Expanding tree cover quickly and at low cost,
preserving local genetic diversity, and
mobilising communities to take practical, hopeful action for the planet.
This model is not just about trees - it’s about people coming together to restore ecosystems, share knowledge, and reclaim agency in the face of climate challenges.
Looking Ahead :
The More Trees Now Project is more than a reforestation effort - it’s a movement. It represents the power of European collaboration, community resilience, and innovative thinking in addressing one of humanity’s greatest challenges.
As thousands more trees are planted, rescued, and nurtured, so too will new networks of learners, leaders, and changemakers take root across Europe. Together, we are not only planting trees; we are planting hope, resilience, and a shared future.
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