Girl Scouts of the USA and American Forests to Plant 5 Million Trees

The bond between Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) and American Forests started 100 years ago when First Lady Florence Harding simultaneously served as honorary president of GSUSA and vice president of American Forests.

Although a century has passed, the bond is still strong. American Forests and GSUSA are now working together to plant 5 million trees across the United States in the next five years, in large part to slow climate change. Girls and women earn the Girl Scout Tree Promise patch by planting, protecting and honoring trees. Many are doing so by partnering with local entities such as schools, companies and faith-based groups.

American Forests provides guidance and educational resources on what types of trees to plant in which environments, where to buy and plant them and how to take care of them. This initiative is also supported by the Elliott Wildlife Values Project.

Driven by Climate Change

This collaboration is grounded in our mutual concerns related to climate change. Nearly 50% of people aged 7 to 22 believe climate change demands urgent action. Girl Scouts range in age from 5 to 18.

Trees planted through this initiative will sequester carbon equivalent to the annual carbon emissions from 239,000 homes, charging 255 billion smartphones or driving 425,000 cars.

Scouts Are Digging In

Girl Scouts have planted trees in every state, plus Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia. Troop 20563 from New Jersey, for example, planted a grove of dogwood tree seedlings at a Girl Scout camp and 450 native tree seedlings in three forest regeneration areas that the Girl Scouts will “adopt” and care for. And Girl Scouts of Montana and Wyoming planted 140 native trees at their camp near Butte, Montana.