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ReLeaf

ReLeaf educations, empowers, and emulates the power of tree-planting for the greener good.

Dark Green Healthy Plant Leaves

We've got a goal to plant 275,000 trees.

Now, it’s our time to turn outward into our community and create even more precious, green spaces for all to enjoy.Planting trees is one thing that virtually everyone in the United States can participate in that will address the problem of excess carbon in the atmosphere. We are calling the residents of Erie County to join us in our efforts to slow global warming and educate our community on the importance of planting trees.

56,742 trees have been planted so far!

re-leaf logo

Why Trees?

Water

Trees love water - they can filter up to a third of fine particle pollutants within 300 yards of a tree. They capture rainwater while their root system filters harmful pollutants that would otherwise be absorbed into our soil, making our water cleaner and safer for consumption and use.

Air

Trees remove gaseous air pollutants, such as nitrogen and sulfur dioxides from the air that we breathe. They absorb the pollutants and release the oxygen that we need to sustain life!

Soil

Trees provide stability for waterway riparian zones by absorbing water and pollutants and preventing soil from eroding. A tree’s root system can provide enough soil stability to hold an entire area of land in place.

Happiness, Peace & Tranquility

Imagine your street, the neighborhood you live in, the school you attended, or your favorite local park without trees. You’d be surprised how bare and desolate things would look. The trees that may be in your community provide shade, color, and a sense of inner calmness that can’t be matched - and not everyone is lucky enough to experience this.

Food & Habitat

Not only do trees provide food for humans, but also for animals. Many mammals survive and thrive solely by living in trees and consuming entirely tree products. We may not realize how many products we consume daily that are provided to us by trees. Ever eat an apple and realize that someone else likely plucked it off of a beautiful, healthy apple tree so you could enjoy it later?

Shade & Cooling

Trees provide shade, and the shade created helps maintain consistent soil temperature. A tree's leaves release water that turns into vapor, cooling the air around it. Without trees, the temperature will rise.

  • One adult and two children from Erie County planting a tree
  • Six children from Erie County planting a tree
  • Three residents of Erie County planting a tree
  • Five children from Erie County planting a tree
  • A close up image of a red lady bug on a leaf
  • Residents of Erie County planting trees

What People Are Saying

“I want to thank you for the glorious donation of trees, time and talent that you so willingly shared with Connell School this Spring! We have been working on creating a green space for the Connell neighborhood for quite some time, and the addition of 140, or so, trees brings us closer to our goal. The students have taken great pleasure and joy in caring for the well-being of the little saplings…willingly watering them in their time of need when they are able. Little by little, the students, parents and neighbors are realizing what a “diamond in the rough” our backyard is! The more we beautify the space, the more potential they can imagine and help to create!

Laurie Hogan, Connell Conservation  

“For The Learning Center, ReLeaf’s tree planting project could not have come at a better time! Moving into our permanent home in 2021 has enabled us to begin to realize our goals of becoming a leader in sustainable education in our area. Along with our vegetable gardens, bees, solar panels, rain water collection system and wildflower meadow the planting of over 80 trees with ReLeaf has transformed our space and delivers a strong message of commitment to our environment.

Simon Camp, Educator at The Learning Center

“ReLeaf was such a great experience for the students at our school. The staff was well prepared and encouraged our students to "get their hands dirty." The kids loved learning about how to plant and care for the trees after they were planted. It was also a great team building activity for our students!”

Amy Grande, Community School Director, McKinley Elementary School