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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.50

An unlikely idea has been bouncing around for almost four decades: retrofitting unused C-130 military planes to drop trees at a rate of 900,000 per day. Think that's a crazy concept? Consider this: about 2,500 of these planes are collecting rust in 70 countries around the world and most of them are setup to drop land mines. The switch would be fairly simple and the results would be stunning: billions of new trees.

World Bicycle Relief is an amazing organization that changes lives in developing nations across Africa by providing quality, durable bicycles that open up educational, healthcare, and economic opportunities to those who need them most. Learn about their important work.

Finally, it's not all bad news regarding the effects of climate change on giant sequoias, the largest, and some of the oldest, trees on our planet. As it turns out, the trees are doing what they've always done: surviving. In order to do that, they downsize. Read more about this fascinating transition in the article below.  

MILITARY PLANES COULD DROP TREES NOT BOMBS (idea)

WORLD BICYCLE RELIEF (cause)

GIANT SEQUOIA SURPRISE (article)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.49

In Japan, fallen maple leaves become a delicious snack after a little bit of frying with sweetened tempura batter. Speaking of fallen leaves, read some excellent tips for what to do with yours instead of stuffing them into trash bags. HINT: trees feed themselves!

You may have heard of the Copenhagen Wheel, which sources say will revolutionize urban transportation. But do you know what makes is so special and what the fuss is all about? Watch a short news clip that explains.

FRIED MAPLE LEAVES IN JAPAN (article)

WHAT TO DO WITH FALLEN LEAVES (article)

THE COPENHAGEN WHEEL (video)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.48

Before 1900, the American chestnut accounted for 1 in every 4 hardwood trees in the eastern forests of the US. Though a fungal blight killed over 4 billion of these majestic beauties, almost causing their extinction, there may be hope on the horizon for their regeneration. Learn about the past, present, and potential future of these amazing trees.

Have you ever wanted to ride your bike across the country, or wondered how the bike lanes in one city compare with those in another? Take a gander at the United Bike Lanes of America Infographic, a GOOD + CLIF Bar project. 

Few people know how to build tree houses as well as Takashi Kobayashi. Click through a gallery of some of his finest masterworks.

THE AMERICAN CHESTNUT (article)

BIKE LANES OF AMERICA (interactive map)

TREEHOUSE MASTER (slideshow)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.47

Have you ever seen a face in the bark of a tree? One artist took things a bit farther and created an entire gallery of amazing photos using just a few simple tricks. The results are portraits of fantastic, other-worldly creatures.

Take a look at Hovenring, the world's first suspended bicycle roundabout. Located in the Netherlands, it a true architectural beauty. We would love to see more of these pop up around the world.

Philippine officials held a tree planting yesterday that broke the world record for most seedlings sown in an hour. All told, 160,000 people planted 3.2 million trees at 6 different locations on Mindanao island. Guinness is currently verifying the new record, which previously stood at 1.9 million. That record was set in India in 2011.

FACES IN THE TREES (photos)

HOVENRING, THE SUSPENDED BICYCLE ROUNDABOUT (photo essay)

WORLD TREE-PLANTING RECORD BROKEN (article)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.46

Who wouldn't want to ride the world's fastest e-bike? The M55 Terminus, manufactured out of aerospace grade titanium and aluminum, easily reaches top speeds of over 50 mph. Only 275 of these bad boys have been produced (5 editions of 55), so getting your hands on one will be difficult. What a ride it will be though!

The results are in: scientific studies prove that hugging trees is good for your health. Get out and get hugging! You'll live longer.

If you have a few extra minutes, take a look at an amazing map that shows every tree in the USA. We will surely add a few green dots to it before the end of the year. Over 3,000 of them are already ours!

M55 TERMINUS - THE WORLD'S FASTEST ELECTRIC BICYCLE (video)

HUGGING TREES IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH (article)

AMAZING MAP SHOWS EVERY TREE IN THE USA (map)

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OUR COMMUNITY

Many remarkable moments have occurred on RETREET.

Days before our event in Joplin, MO, began, Hurricane Sandy hit. One of our most recurrent RETREETers, Harry, watched in helpless frustration as images of his neighborhood, now a swirling tide of totaled homes, filled the TV screen in the lobby of our hotel during breakfast. “Well, there’s nothing I could do if I was there, so I am just going to concentrate on what we are here for: planting trees for people,” Harry resolved.

Later that day, as Harry worked in a neighborhood that had been obliterated by a tornado the previous year, he saw a young family holding an estate sale. Harry walked over to find out why the family seemed to be selling everything they owned.

“After the tornado hit,” the father explained, “people from all over showed up to help us. We didn’t have insurance. A church group built this new house. Others filled it with things. It was amazing. We wanted to do something for the victims of Sandy, so we decided to sell everything we don’t need and send the money to help those people. You know, pay it forward.”

Harry told the family about his community in NJ and explained what he was doing in Joplin. An assembly of RETREETers gathered to listen. Hugs and handshakes were exchanged, and the group posed for a photo. It was a powerful scene that resonates to this day: people helping people in every direction.

For many, community is a source of true happiness. The feelings of satisfaction, contentment, and fulfillment that characterize happiness can be readily derived from affecting the lives of those around you in a positive way and being appreciated and loved for doing so. Everyone wants to belong and make an impact.

This is one of the greatest draws of online social networks, and explains the massive amount of time some people spend manicuring their personas. “Look at everything I am doing and how incredibly likeable I am!” Unfortunately, though we are more connected than ever, we are also more detached from the world around us. How many times have you looked around and noticed that you were the only person not using your phone? How long have you waited for a response from a digitally distracted companion? How, and where, can this be overcome?

RETREET is a place where people reconnect. Not just with those in our own community, but with others like us, those who need us, and the environment that surrounds us.

In the post-disaster landscape, people are motivated to act. A sense of need is felt. A moment to shine is presented. We yearn for a unique way to assist in relief efforts, the chance to join others in that pursuit, and the knowledge that our assistance is cherished by those we are helping. Harry’s encounter with that young family is a prime example of how RETREET creates community. One of many.

Planting in Evans, CO in May 2014

Communities obtain their identity, in large part, through the environments in which they exist. To their inhabitants, trees become important signifiers of what is known as home: the maple you climbed as a child, the apple you harvest in every summer, the oak you planted with your father when your daughter was born. When a disaster strikes and the environment is razed, one of the most important elements of the recovery process is the replacement of the urban forest. It helps the community return to a sense of normalcy and adds a healing layer of green to the traumatized landscape. By planting trees, we help communities reclaim their identity and give the inhabitants something positive to focus on when they step our of their front doors and encounter their new world. Victims of disaster are transformed into stewards of the land who are made responsible for recreating what they loved so they can pass it on the next generation.

The vision of RETREET is to create a society in which the need to replace lost trees in a manner sensitive to the local environment is considered part of the standard response to disaster, and is provided for alongside other relief initiatives.

Our mission is to build awareness of our vision by replanting trees in communities whose urban forests have been decimated in disaster by offering weekend community service adventures to active volunteers.

That being said, RETREET is not simply an idea—RETREET is a community comprised of those who share our vision and materialize to forward its achievement. Membership is open to all. Not only is our community the source from which we derive our strength as an organization, it is the focal point of our efforts. Every moment spent on RETREET is meant to amplify both the internal and external sense of community. That is why we plant trees one home at a time, ride bicycles through the affected area, and host events to which we invite those for whom we plant. Each is a way for RETREETers to connect with each other, and with the locals.

Over two years into this adventure, those who have chosen to be a part of our community have established a track record of which they can be proud. In concert, we have planted 3,253 trees in eight communities across North America. We have transformed numerous and diverse landscapes of tragedy and destruction into those of hope and recovery. If you have been watching from the sidelines and want to participate, now is the time to get in the game! Become an active part of redefining the global concept of natural disaster relief.

WE NEED YOU. Come on RETREET. Can’t make it? Help another RETREETer get there. Make a donation to our cause. Buy a RETREET shirt, wear it, and tell people our story when they ask about it. Find relevant events in your community and attend them on behalf of RETREET. Spread the word. Know of a community that could use our help? Initiate and organize your own RETREET. Share your time and talent by joining our board. Let us know how you can help. Need ideas, stickers, brochures, volunteers or a game plan? We’ll send them your way.

RETREET is the sum total of every experience that has been had during, in support of, or as a benefit of our efforts. When you talk to a friend about RETREET, you are RETREET. The future of our organization depends on you.

At the end of the day, it’s all about who shows up.

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.45

It's that time of the year again! North Texas Giving Day is here. There is no better day to make a contribution in support of RETREET's mission: to help communities replant in the wake of disaster. All donations of $25 or more made THIS THURSDAY, September 18th in between 6:00am and midnight will be amplified by $2 million in bonus funds and prizes. Multiply your contribution!

Today, we planted 8 more trees in Evans, CO, in commemoration of the 1-year anniversary of the flood that damaged a significant portion of the town. An extension of our efforts during Fort Collins RETREET II, today's planting marks an almost complete RETREETment of Riverside Parkway. Check out some photos from the event below.

In case you missed it, be sure to watch a video about the amazing Blink Twice video installation at this year's Summer Set Festival in Somerset, WI. 

1ST ANNIVERSARY PLANTING IN EVANS, CO (photos)

BLINK TWICE (video)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.44

Greetings RETREET family! We hope you had a wonderful weekend.

Before Monday hits, check out the below: a fruit map that shows you where and when to forage for food in your neighborhood, a photo collection of 15 of the world's coolest bicycles, and a video of a young Frank Zappa playing a bicycle as a musical instrument.

Enjoy! To those of you who share links with us, thanks!

FORAGING FOR FALLING FRUIT (interactive map)

15 COOL BIKES (photos)

YOUNG FRANK ZAPPA PLAYS A BICYCLE (video)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.43

The remnants of a petrified forest protrude from the shores of Cardigan Bay off the British Coast, especially after a rough storm. Are these stumps, buried by peat thousands of years ago, Cantre'r Gwaelod, the Welsh Atlantis? The photos are fantastic.

Johnnyrandom's album "Bespoken" was crafted using sounds collected from various parts of a bicycle. How many of them do you recognize? Quite catchy tunes!

There are some amazing places to camp out there, most of which get their character and charm from the nearby trees. Some of the best in world are pictured below.

Have a great week!

PETRIFIED WELSH ATLANTIS (photo essay)

MUSIC FROM BICYCLE PARTS (music and video)

AMAZING CAMPING SPOTS (photo essay)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.42

Have you ever had your bike stolen? Awful, isn't it? A team of engineering students from Chile has designed a bike whose frame is a lock. A novel approach to preventing theft, this bike can't be stolen intact. Check out Yerka Project at the link below.

Recently, The Diane Rehm Show explored issues facing U.S Forests and Trees, both urban and rural. It's a fascinating listen for a post-ride Sunday afternoon.

Speaking of which, why do you ride your bike? Certainly, there are many reasons to do so. Enjoy an inspirational advertisement about just that. It'll being a smile to your face.

Happy Sunday!

YERKA PROJECT (video)

U.S. FORESTS & TREES (podcast)

GET ON YOUR BIKE! (video)