About Us
Currently, a lack of tree coverage and green spaces in underprivileged neighborhoods in Houston contributes to making them urban heat islands, meaning that they can be as much as 17 degrees warmer than other more wooded neighborhoods on a given day. Additionally, a lack of green spaces also contributes to negative impacts on community members’ physical and mental health and to environmental injustice. The TREE Initiative
seeks to plant trees and create green spaces in underprivileged neighborhoods, helping to support communities at multiple levels.
Our Mission
We really care about making Houston a better place and believe that we can make it greener, healthier, and more equitable for everyone who calls it home. That is why we’ve created this project called the TREE Initiative – Together for Restoration and Environmental Equality. We want to engage with community members both through their potential volunteering during plantings and via their involvement to help keep trees alive through mulching and consistent watering after trees have been planted. Tens of thousands of Houstonians in underprivileged neighborhoods will not only experience the direct benefits of expanded green spaces (improved air quality, reduced temperatures, better flood control, and better overall health), but they will also learn how trees can be planted and properly cared for.
Our Goals
The goal of the TREE initiative is to mitigate the environmental injustice present in Houston communities and to promote tree equity in Houston. We want to plant at least 5000 trees by the end of spring 2026. In collaboration with NPOs such as Trees for Houston, Alief Super Neighborhood Council, Friends of Columbia Tap, and others we hope to recruit many volunteers to start planting trees fall 2025 and spring 2026.