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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.113

Amazingly, one of the first fruit trees planted by European settlers upon reaching US soil is still alive, well, and bearing fruit. The Endicott pear took root in 1630 and ever since has been lauded and carefully cared for by many, though it has encountered its fair share of trials and tribulations through the centuries as well. A fascinating tale!

US FRUIT TREE PLANTED BY EUROPEAN SETTLERS (article)

We've posted several stories of incredible efforts to plants trees in India, but this one takes the cake. This past Monday, more than 800,000 people from all walks of life planted almost 50 MILLION trees in 24 HOURS in Uttar Pradesh, absolutely crushing the world record set by Pakistan in 2013. Read more about this planting and the $6.2 billion the Indian government has put aside to funds such efforts.

50 MILLION TREES PLANTED IN INDIA (short article)

In 1919, a powerful group of women came together in Eureka, CA, with a single purpose: to save the Redwoods. Their incredible efforts were revolutionary at the time. Not only did they challenge established gender norms, these women created one of the first environmental movements in the US.

THE WOMEN WHO SAVED THE REDWOODS (article)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.104

We've been in LA this week laying the foundation for our west coast launch and planting the seed of a new and robust branch of the RETREET community. It's been an amazing experience, the continuation of work begun in late January.

In the long-term, we aim to hold a RETREET in one of the many wildfire areas in California within the next year. In the short-term, we are fostering relationships with local likeminded organizations in order to augment and connect their existing programs and, by doing so, introduce new people to their missions and ours. For this Sunday Show & Tell, we thought we'd try something a little different and highlight a few of our favorite future partners.

Ron Finley is a true force of nature. Known far and wide as The Gangsta Gardener, Ron is flipping the script in his neighborhood and around the world by getting people invested in their communities and themselves through growing food. Believe it or not, what you put in your mouth matters. It was incredible to spend time with Ron in his magnificent garden and hear his powerful message: less talking and more doing. Watch Ron's TED Talk and get to it. Let's plant some shit!

THE RON FINLEY PROJECT

Founded in 2011 by actor Bill Pullman and his wife Tamara, Hollywood Orchard engages community by planting, caring for, and harvesting neighborhood fruit trees. They share food in open-air pop up kitchens and events in Beachwood Canyon and support local food charity organizations.

For part of our trip, we had the pleasure of staying with John and Bella Allen, who are developing a community center called The Birdhouse - a place where birds of a feather can flock together and hatch ideas. More on that, and future plantings, coming soon. 

HOLLYWOOD ORCHARD

Founded by environmental visionary Andy Lipkis in 1973, TreePeople grows a green and climate-resilient Los Angeles, one with enough tree canopy, healthy soil, and clean local water in even its most urban neighborhoods. They work with communities to transform LA’s landscapes into living, healthy watersheds: in homes, neighborhoods and schools, in local mountains, and at their 45-acre park. They also have deep roots working with policymakers to demonstrate new green and viable infrastructure solutions for a sustainable city.

Andy told us something that will resonate for years to come. There is a special element in the DNA of RETREET. It's the reason our mission resonates with people and it must remain the focus of our organization. Community is our heart and, if we stray from that center, the trees we plant won't grow. Heard. Learn more about Andy the TreePeople.

TREEPEOPLE

There's so much more to say, but that's a good start. Stay tuned!