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Planting Trees Keeps America Beautiful

The right tree, right place, right time, in the right way.

That’s the philosophy of our RETREET® program.

Why trees? Simply put: Trees give us life. They provide oxygen and clean air for us to breathe. They save water and energy, and even combat climate change.

Trees are just as important in urban environments as they are in forests. They not only cool down city streets in the summer, but studies show that urban forests have a significant positive impact on city dwellers by reducing stress and anxiety.

Unfortunately, when natural disasters strike, urban trees are often destroyed. And replanting them is not usually a top priority in rebuilding efforts.

It’s time to change that. And that’s where RETREET comes in.

Our unique program, now over a decade strong, provides disaster relief to communities on a local, state and national level by leading volunteers in restoring decimated urban forests. As one of America’s foremost community-based organizations, we understand the power of planting deep roots, both figuratively and literally. We’re dedicated to expanding our restoration efforts in the coming years, working with one community at a time. We’re in this together.

RETREET has planted over 6,000 native trees in communities across North America, thanks to the help of thousands of volunteers. And beyond that, RETREET has helped an untold number of people learn about the importance of trees in their communities.

Working Within Communities

KAB affiliates work in thousands of cities and towns across America, both big and small, bringing together local leaders and volunteers.

RETREET planting events are truly community-driven, centering local needs and engaging diverse partners to form teams of volunteers who spend a weekend planting native trees throughout neighborhoods under skilled supervision.

The right tree, right place, right time, in the right way.

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

– Chinese Proverb

Community Affiliates in Action

KAB is dedicated to planting trees now, for a better tomorrow. Planting trees is a practical, effective, and unique way for volunteers to help their community rebuild. And, restored communities weather new storms better, keeping neighborhoods more protected from things like flash floods, storm damage, and erosion. The impact each volunteer makes will last for generations to come.

Educating and Organizing at the National Level

One of the critical elements of RETREET is education. By sharing the knowledge of the importance of restoring trees and native plantings with our neighbors across the country, we grow healthier, together.

Tree planting is an enjoyable and physically engaging activity, and proper planting techniques are easily taught. This knowledge will last a lifetime, encouraging volunteers to become greater stewards of the environment.

Keep Pearland Beautiful Tree Planting Day

Keep Pearland Beautiful (KPB) hosted a Plant a Tree Day on March 20, to launch their annual Keep America Beautiful Great American Cleanup®. The event took place at the John Hargrove Environmental Complex in Pearland, TX. Volunteers worked together to plant trees, spread mulch, and pick up litter.

“Keep Pearland Beautiful has been committed to promoting and preserving the natural beauty of our community for nearly 40 years. The work that we do takes time but has a long-lasting impact that will benefit generations to come,” said Adrian Hernandez, Keep Pearland Beautiful Executive Director.

Learn more about Keep Pearland Beautiful (opens in a new tab).

Keep Montgomery County Beautiful Tornado Recovery

In 2019, a total of 21 tornadoes ripped across Ohio’s Miami Valley over Memorial Day weekend, causing destruction and damage that had never been seen before.

Following this disaster, the RETREET team came together with KAB affiliates, Keep Montogomery Beautiful and Keep Ohio Beautiful, holding a series of planting volunteer events, planting 6-9’ tall native trees across the valley.

For more information on the event, please contact our affiliate (opens in a new tab).

Happy Anniversary to Keep Bossier Beautiful

Keep Bossier Beautiful (KBB), located in Bossier Parish, LA, celebrated 35 years of service to their community by planting 35 trees. Seven teams of volunteers came together to plant five trees each. Each team was comprised of 5-6 volunteers, all trained to plant the Cyrpess trees – the Louisiane state tree, around the parish. KBB is one of forty Keep Louisiana Beautiful Affiliates throughout the state of Louisiana.

Learn more about their work (opens in a new tab).

Advancing Statewide Action

The Keep America beautiful affiliate community is instrumental in our restoration work. Bring volunteers together, our impact grows every month! Since our inception in 2012, RETREET volunteers have helped restore cities in states across the US and into Canada.

3,597

Trees in Texas

255

Trees in Ohio

178

Trees in Louisiana

120

Trees in Indiana:

414

Trees in Oklahoma

491

Trees in Colorado

125

Trees in New York

911

Trees in Ontario, Canada

210

Trees in Missouri

Connecticut’s South Norwalk Tree Planting Gets a Boost

Along Connecticut’s scenic coastline, the city of Norwalk’s Norwalk Tree Advisory Committee secured an $18,500 “Restoration and Resiliency Grant” from the Keep America Beautiful foundation in April 2016, resulting in the acquisition and planting of 16 large canopy trees along the perimeter of the the popular Washington Street park. The committee, together with the help of Norwalk Community College, Keep Norwalk Beautiful and the Norwalk Department of Public Works, planted the 4.5-caliper trees.

Keep Ohio Beautiful Celebrates 150th Anniversary of Arbor Day at Great Ohio Planting Day

Each year, Keep Ohio Beautiful celebrates Great Ohio Planting Day on Arbor Day to provide a hands-on educational program, demonstrating how to properly prepare a planting site, plant, and care for a tree. In past years, Keep Ohio Beautiful volunteers have planted more than 100 native trees at Deer Creek, East Fork and Mohican state parks. Contact Keep Ohio Beautiful for more information.

KAB and its Affiliates & Volunteers Showcase Remarkable Work in the Great American Cleanup® 2023.

July 26, 2023 · McCall Vrydaghs

(July 27, 2023) – The Great American Cleanup® has come to a close, and we want to share some of the highlights of this year’s efforts across the country, tracked through our social media channels. From posts and videos to TV appearances, Keep America Beautiful thanks everyone who made this year a remarkable success as we work to clean, green, and beautify America together.>>PHOTO GALLERY: Great American Cleanup® 2023Have something to add to this list? Please email Director of Communications, McCall Vrydaghs – mvrydaghs@kab.org.SOCIAL MEDIA POSTSMarch 21: TODAY is the day! Celebrate the Great American Cleanup’s 25th year in 2023! March 21 – June 22. The Great American Cleanup® unifies and beautifies communities across the country. Join us! http://ow.ly/QcfK50NmvgU #HowIKeepAmericaBeautiful #GreatAmericanCleanUp #DoBeautifulThings  March 25: Many hands make light work, as my Granny used to say. And, yesterday was an incredible day in Norfolk w/ volunteers galore helping to clean up Lafayette. Yesterday was an incredible day in Norfolk w/ volunteers galore helping to clean up Lafayette Park. Thank you, @keepnorfolkbeautiful, for organizing this important clean-up event.  #greatamericancleanup March 27: Chester County Beautiful is holding a giveaway to help a selected volunteer group get started with a cleanup event that the 25th anniversary […]

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July 2023 Affiliate of the Month – Keep Gwinnett Clean & Beautiful

July 12, 2023 · McCall Vrydaghs

Keep America Beautiful® is proud to announce our next Affiliate of the Month. In this KAB initiative, we feature the great work being done in our network of 700 certified affiliates. Our Affiliate of the Month for July 2023 is Keep Gwinett Clean & Beautiful (GCB).

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Colbie Jones, Director of Keep Arkansas Beautiful, Named Among Top 100 Women of Impact in Arkansas

June 29, 2023 · McCall Vrydaghs

STAMFORD, Conn. (June 29, 2023) – Keep America Beautiful® (KAB) proudly congratulates Colbie Jones, Director of Keep Arkansas Beautiful, for her inclusion in the list of Top 100 Women of Impact in Arkansas. This esteemed recognition celebrates her outstanding leadership, unwavering commitment, and remarkable achievements in fostering a cleaner and more beautiful Arkansas. “They had over 600 nominations for a multitude of amazing women, and I’m flabbergasted that I was able to make it into the top 100,” said Jones. Acknowledging the tremendous achievements of her fellow nominees, Jones feels grateful for the opportunity to be included among them. “There are so many other women who have made even larger impacts than I have in their various roles, so it is a huge honor to be a part of that list and to be among so many wonderful women.”  Looking ahead, Jones is determined to accomplish even greater milestones with Keep Arkansas Beautiful. Her vision includes fostering increased engagement throughout the state by spreading awareness of Keep Arkansas Beautiful’s mission and inspiring more individuals to act. She aims to drive continued growth and provide additional resources to Arkansans, enhancing the quality of life for all. “Colbie is a terrific leader and champion […]

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Our Sponsors

Restoration and resiliency disaster relief programming and organizational efforts are made possible by a grant from the Better Together Fund. (opens in a new tab) The Better together Fund is a program to drive large-scale social change by supporting nonprofits that come together in formal collaboration for a common purpose as a way to maximize impact.