Take a deep breath.

Inhale…one…two…three. Exhale…one…two…three. Did you feel it? You just experienced the life-giving power of trees. You may or may not know this, but trees are the lungs of the Earth. They inhale what we exhale, transforming carbon dioxide into the very oxygen we need to survive. 

Like a series of vast interconnected lungs, trees stretch the Earth, exhaling vitality into the air we share and filtering it, ensuring we have clean air to breathe. In just one year, trees across the United States filter 17.4 million tons of pollutants from our air, preventing 670,000 cases of acute respiratory symptoms annually. Within our cities, just one mature tree can capture the carbon emissions of one car driving 1,500 miles. Simply put, we need trees to breathe.  

Take another deep breath. Right now, our forests — the lungs of our Earth — are collapsing under the weight of climate change and declining urban canopy. Increasing climate-induced threats, such as high-severity wildfires, pests and diseases, are ravaging our nation’s forests. In California alone, more than 162 million trees have died since 2010, largely because of these climate change-related stressors. And within our cities, many neighborhoods do not have access to the vital tree canopy residents need to fully experience this life-saving infrastructure. In fact, across U.S. cities, lower-income communities tend to have 26% less tree cover than wealthier ones. Without healthy, resilient forests and urban canopies, we cannot breathe. 

Breathe easy. We’ve got a plan.

American Forests’ mission is to create healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We’ve been at the forefront of this effort throughout our 150-year history. Since 1875, our purpose has remained the same: to ensure forests thrive for the benefit of both people and the planet. We do so by advocating for, innovating and implementing science-backed solutions as well as collaborating across sectors to ensure large-scale impact. Today, forests need our support now more than ever, just as we depend on their support. 

You see, not only do forests help filter the air we breathe, but they also provide recreational destinations for millions. Forests and green spaces simultaneously offer respite to outdoor enthusiasts — a literal breath of fresh air — and stabilize communities through their economic impact. In 2023, the outdoor recreation industry generated $1.2 trillion in economic output and supported approximately 5 million jobs across the U.S. 

In south central Oregon in particular, forests and the outdoor recreation industry support the economic livelihood of surrounding communities like Lakeview, where forests are being decimated by wildfire. Here, American Forests has implemented a strategic and collaborative landscape-scale approach to forest restoration. Without resilient forests, these communities could be left gasping.  

What’s more, the very presence of trees can have a profound impact on physical and mental health and wellbeing. In Chicago, many individuals — like Adella Bass, who suffers from heart failure — know the intrinsic importance of the health benefits trees provide. In cities nationwide, exposure to trees can help residents, like Bass, lower their blood pressure and heart rate. But not all neighborhoods experience those benefits equally, and Bass has lived the reality of this disparity firsthand. American Forests is working in cities across the country to ensure that all individuals have access to the life-saving benefits of trees. 

For people like Kris Cameron, access to trees provides more than just clean air to survive, it provides the career opportunities needed to thrive. Trees are a source of income for many, from jobs related to tree maintenance to making products out of reclaimed wood. For every $1 million invested in urban forestry, 25 forest-related jobs are created. Cameron’s life was completely changed by the opportunities provided to him through an American Forests-partnered urban forestry workforce training program. Our workforce development efforts are ensuring that trees go beyond their root function to help us breathe and become the heartbeat of resilient communities across the country. 

We need trees. And trees need you.

Trees help us breathe. They help us survive. They help us thrive. 

This Earth Month, we need your help. In the fight against climate change, we can’t stand around holding our breath. If you believe every breath counts, then you believe every tree matters. The lungs of the Earth cannot afford to be on life support. During Earth Month, you have the opportunity to double your impact thanks to our partner Nespresso. When you join us in the cause we’ve been championing for 150+ years and donate today, it will be matched up to $125,000 for Earth Month.  

Now, take one more deep breath, thank a tree and JOIN US!