People for Trees in Year Three

Holden Forests & Gardens is entering the third year of our People for Trees™ campaign. We have made a commitment to have 15,000 new trees planted and cared for by the end of 2025.

Already, Northeast Ohio residents have given away, pledged and planted more than 10,000 trees. That’s amazing, but we still need more People for Trees to pledge and plant. Share your love of nature and invite a friend, neighbor and family member to join in the community-wide effort.

On the first day of Spring, March 20, we officially launched year three of the campaign and have a goal of 500 new pledges by Arbor Day, April 28.

Find out how people are getting involved.

My Planting Story

By Eva Miller, Junior, Magnifcat Highschool

Iwas incredibly inspired by my tree planting experience with Holden’s Tree Corp and the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority. My volunteer group from Magnificat High School was composed of students that have a passion for horticulture and serving others, and the planting was a formative learning experience for us. I was inspired by the communal environment and respect for the neighborhood’s residents as well as the educational aspect of the tree planting. The purpose of the planting — to improve the tree canopy and the health and wellbeing of the residents —was evident throughout my time spent with the volunteers. Everyone involved, regardless of experience, worked together and helped each other throughout every single step of planting the trees. I had conducted research on the low urban canopy cover in Cleveland and its intersectionality with racial and socioeconomic injustices, and I am incredibly grateful that I was able to participate in this act of hands-on, impactful service. This tree planting addressed and worked toward not only replenishing the tree canopy but also eliminating the injustices that stem from the low canopy cover in Central Cleveland.

Q: “How do trees impact your life?”

Trees provide me with health benefits and ecosystem services. Trees filter toxic chemicals from the air and water. Trees provide me with shade, and they are home to many of my favorite birds, animals and insects. Not only do trees benefit my physical health, but they also impact my mental health and well-being. Access to greenspace and the beauty of trees is a privilege that I am extremely grateful for. Specifically, I am able to experience the calming effects of trees at my nearest Cleveland Metroparks as well as at the Cleveland Botanical Gardens.

Q: “What was your group’s perspective on our Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority planting?” My group was made up of high school students, so many of us had no experience with planting trees. However, the CMHA planting’s atmosphere was incredibly encouraging and educational. No girl in my group went without a role or task in the process, and no one ever felt bored because we were all eager to give ourselves more work to do. From my perspective and from the feedback from many of the girls in my group, it was an amazing experience for us to get involved in our community and be part of real change. Additionally, this CMHA planting prompted a reestablished horticulture and service-based relationship between Magnificat High School’s Seeds of Service Club and Holden Forests & Gardens.

April 28

HELP US reach this year’s goal of $85,000.

Arbor Day is a national holiday where communities around the globe gather to celebrate trees and the important role that they play in our environment.

Holden Forests & Gardens has made Arbor Day our Day of Giving to encourage people to donate and support our tree research scientists and tree advocates.

This year’s goal is set at $85,000.

To help us along, HF&G supporter Roy Minoff has offered to match up to $25,000! We also have an anonymous donor who is matching $5,000. That is $30,000 in matching gifts. By supporting Arbor Day of Giving, you are doubling the impact of your donation.

HF&G researchers and arboriculture team are working hard to mitigate the effects of climate change and improve the environment through valuable tree research, advocacy and tree planting programs. We need your help to work together so we can all make an impact on a healthier environment. In honor of Arbor Day and the work HF&G does for our community, please consider supporting the HF&G Arbor Day of Giving TODAY.

Ways to Give

Online, visit www.holdenfg.org

By check or respond to mailed request. Mail checks to: Holden Forests & Gardens

PO Box 74422 Cleveland, OH 44194-0002

Scan the QR code:

We encourage YOU to celebrate trees and the environment and GIVE BACK to our efforts to support urban greening and forestry initiatives, mission-oriented research, conservation and horticultural work, educational programming and world-class visitor experiences.

• Give online and it counts toward HF&G Arbor Day of Giving.

• Respond by mail before April 28.

We will celebrate YOU by offering free admission to both campuses and will be distributing free tree saplings to visitors, along with information about their proper planting and care.

Thank you for your support!

For more information, please contact Lynne Robie at lrobie@holdenfg.org or 216-707-2852.

Meet The Staff

Lynne Robie joined Holden Forests & Gardens in 2020 as the Annual Fund Manager and is based at the Cleveland Botanical Garden campus. She has been in the fundraising profession for over eight years, most recently as Development Officer at Cornerstone of Hope and prior to that Ronald McDonald House of Cleveland and Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Before working in the nonprofit sector, Lynne spent 12 years in direct mail marketing. She took time off to raise her family, entered the world of fundraising and never looked back. Lynne is passionate about fundraising and managing the HF&G Annual Fund program and eagerly embraces the culture of philanthropy.

The Holden Arboretum is excited to announce it will open a new outdoor exhibit that will appeal to the kid in all of us. Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects Made with LEGO® Bricks features more than a dozen towering creations that will pop out of garden and trail landscapes creating a magical new world at the arboretum. Nature Connects opens Saturday, May 27 and runs through Monday, September 4, 2023.

Tickets will be sold in advance beginning May 13th at holdenfg.org.

The new exhibit brings some of nature’s most beloved flora and fauna to colorful life with 14 impressive sculptures built with simple toy blocks. As visitors explore the lush arboretum