RETREET BLOG

RETREET redefines disaster relief by engaging communities to replant lost trees.


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.114

Most people think a forest is something that exists far away, a bastion of nature untouched by human development. Not so, says TED Fellow Shubhendu Sharma. Click below to learn how you can grow a complete, complex 100-year-old forest in your own backyard, in just 10 years. We're already digging!

GROW A FOREST IN YOUR BACKYARD (essay/video)

GROW A FOREST IN YOUR BACKYARD (essay/video)

Once your backyard forest has been established, crush another commonly held misconception: that forests are places in which trees just battle for supremacy, a vast competition for resources. In fact, trees do more than help each other out in times of need, they collaborate. Another fascinating TED Talk on that subject follows.

HOW TREES TALK TO EACH OTHER (video)

HOW TREES TALK TO EACH OTHER (video)

Life surely has ups and downs, low points and moments when you're riding high. That being said, no one rides higher than Felix Guirola of Havana, Cuba. If this picture isn't clickbait enough, what is?

TALL BIKING IN HAVANA (article)

TALL BIKING IN HAVANA (article)

 


 
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)

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)

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)

THE WOMEN WHO SAVED THE REDWOODS (article)

 


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.89

Beth Moon, an aptly-named photographer from San Francisco, spent the last 14 years photographing the world's oldest trees illuminated by starlight. As she explains, "the series was inspired by two fascinating scientific studies that connect tree growth with celestial movement and astral cycles." Her series of photos is an absolute must see.

OLDEST TREES BY STARLIGHT (photo essay)

OLDEST TREES BY STARLIGHT (photo essay)

This fun, short video starts with a woman walking a baby carriage down the street, then takes an unexpected turn. That's a sweet sidecar!

PRAM CAR - 1951 (video)

PRAM CAR - 1951 (video)

Finally, a scientific study that validates tree hugging! Not only is having direct contact with trees good for your health, so is merely seeing them. It also helps with cognitive development and brain function. If you had any doubts, put your mind at ease with this article. Then, go outside and hug a tree. 

TREE HUGGING SCIENTIFICALLY VALIDATED (article)

TREE HUGGING SCIENTIFICALLY VALIDATED (article)

Indian billionaire Manoj Bhargava has a simple solution for the 1.3 billion people living without electricity in the world: ride one of his bikes! 60 minutes of effort on the Free Electric hybrid bike will power a home for 24 hours. Exercise and electricity? Take our money!

PEDAL POWER (article/video)

PEDAL POWER (article/video)

 


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.61

Beth Moon, a photographer based out of San Francisco, spent 14 years traveling the world photographing the world's most ancient trees. Her collection of shots is beyond gorgeous, and definitely worth your attention.

ANCIENT TREES (photos)

ANCIENT TREES (photos)

You many have already head of the world's first invisible bicycle helmet, but this video gives some great insight into how it actually works. Peep it!

THE HÖVDING (video)

THE HÖVDING (video)

In a previous edition of SS&T, we shared an article about Jadav Payeng, the widely-proclaimed Forest Man of India. The inspiring tale of Jadav, who has spent the past 25 years planting an entire forest in a barren wasteland, was captured in the this film. Enjoy!

FOREST MAN (video)

FOREST MAN (video)

 


 
SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.40

It is said that Rua Goncalo de Carvalho in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is the most beautiful street in the world. More than 100 trees, some 7 stories tall, form a tight canopy that creates a river of green that runs through the city. Take a stroll, in pictures!

Every Sunday morning, Mexico City's main avenue, Paseo de la Reforma is closed to regular traffic and open to cyclists and pedestrians. Looks like a lot of fun. Does your city do something similar?

In India, a massive project has been launched to plant 2 billion trees in order to combat unemployment. Talk about green jobs!

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STREET IN THE WORLD (PHOTOS)

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL STREET IN THE WORLD (PHOTOS)

DOMINGO DE BICICLETAS IN MEXICO CITY

DOMINGO DE BICICLETAS IN MEXICO CITY

2 BILLION TREE PLANTING PROJECT IN INDIA (ARTICLE)

2 BILLION TREE PLANTING PROJECT IN INDIA (ARTICLE)