Go Green Branching Out

Trees Atlanta completes fundraising campaign for projects

Nonprofit Trees Atlanta has announced the completion of its Branching Out Campaign.

Launched in late 2014, the campaign raised a total of $5,004,361 with the support of generous foundations, corporations and individuals. The campaign prioritized four areas of growth including:

■ Extending the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum

■ Enhancing Educational Programs

■ Accelerating tree planting efforts

■ Expanding conservation initiatives

Ed Dobbs, Trees Atlanta board member and Branching Out Campaign chair, said, “We are humbled by the support of the donor community. They have showed great confidence in us to invest in Atlanta’s tree canopy.”

The successful campaign allowed for the opening of a new education center, the TreeHouse, in September 2015. Since then, Trees Atlanta has dramatically expanded its reach including new programs like the Youth Tree Team, a youth summer job training and leadership development program aimed at high school students. As a result, over the last year, the organization served over 13,350 youth and adults through its various programs, representing a nearly 20 percent increase over last year. Additionally, the campaign will provide funding toward the installation of the Atlanta BeltLine Arboretum on the Westside Trail and the Eastside Trail extension. This project will be a continuation of the tree and plant collections that are enjoyed by millions of people annually on the Eastside Trail.

Connie Veates, Trees Atlanta’s CoExecutive Director and Chief Operating Officer, said, “Because of this campaign, we are on track to double our rate of tree planting across the city of Atlanta.”

“We are drastically expanding restoration efforts in forests, with projects underway in 15 greenspaces across Atlanta.” added Greg Levine, Trees Atlanta’s

Co-Executive Director and Chief Program Officer.

In addition to the work on the campaign, Trees Atlanta’s staff and board completed a new five-year strategic plan (2016-2020) that outlines annual plans for achieving its objectives and longer term goals for maintaining and expanding the growth and momentum realized from Branching Out work.

To review the plan, visit treesatlanta. org/strategicplan.