In August 2022, the Global Tree Initiative celebrated a partnership with Fundação JMJ Lisboa 2023, the entity behind the organization of World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 (WYD Lisbon 2023).

“Bearing in mind that “the environment is a collective good, the heritage of all humankind and the responsibility of all” (LS 95), the Fundação JMJ Lisboa 2023, in partnership with the Global Tree Initiative, launches a worldwide tree-planting challenge that aims to raise awareness of the importance of biodiversity and climate change, bringing to public attention its effects.”

~ WYD Lisbon 2023

Since July 2022, individuals and groups from around the globe have been dedicating their trees to WYD Lisbon 2023. Until this day, over 6,400 trees have been planted and dedicated on the Global Tree Initiative’s global map!

There is one intention guiding all these tree-planters – to follow Pope Francis’ teachings presented in Laudato Si’ and therefore create a greener, healthier world for our children.

“World Youth Day belongs to all of us. The collaboration of everyone involved will therefore be essential if we are to realize our ambition, guided by Pope Francis’ encyclicals, Laudato Si’ and Fratelli tutti, to make WYD Lisbon 2023 as sustainable as possible.”

~ WYD Lisbon 2023

So far, eight countries have joined us in this challenge. From Portugal, Spain, and France, to India, Australia, and Angola; these are some of the countries that have dedicated trees to the WYD Lisbon 2023.

On July 1, 2022, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India Youth Commission gathered to plant 1,000 in Faridabad, India.

They say “There is a big environmental threat upon us today. Air and water are polluted and all living creatures are facing problems. We want to plant trees and bring a change.”

The Portuguese Scouts Movement has also been mobilizing their young to plant trees!

“Every year we organize a planting activity with the local municipality. This is our way to help the environment. This year, we have not only planted the trees but also cleaned the forest.”

~ Agrupamento 297

On January 28, two simultaneous tree-planting activities took place in Portugal, one in Porto and another in Arouca. 1,400 trees were planted on this day!

Porto:

Arouca:

February 1 was a tree-planting day for an Australian group – Pray, Eat, Play, Plant.

Rick Dalmau, a member of the group shared that the planting “Proceeded very efficiently and harmoniously with a tiny team” ranging from grandchildren to grandparents. Rick tells us that these grandparents’ wish is that “the trees will grow well like their grandchildren and that when both are older, they will know each other”.

What a beautiful relationship has started here!

Our tree-planting community is hardworking and early this month, two Portuguese parishes joined forces to plant 600 trees in western Portugal. The group was committed to “promoting sustainable practices and reducing the WYD’s footprint”.

It has been such a pleasure to read from all of you. Your dedication and enthusiasm are inspiring.

A very big thank you to everyone who has joined the Worldwide Tree-Planting Challenge. We look forward to keeping on hearing from you.

The World Youth Day Lisbon 2023 happens in August 2023. You can still join this challenge and dedicate your trees on our global map.