National Service Project:
Girl Scout Tree Promise
Join in on our newest national service project by planting a tree and making an impact in your local community.
Planting trees is a great way to become a steward of the environment. Trees provide places for animals and birds to live, reduce pollutants, filter water, and combat climate change. Plus—you and your troop can be a part of the Girl Scout Tree Promise, an initiative to plant five million trees in five years.
Girl Scouts can make an enormous global impact by participating in this environmental and conservation initiative.
Here’s how you can take part:
- Identify where you will plant a tree(s) and get permission to conduct a tree planting.
- Planting on public or private property; suburban, rural, or urban; one tree or many—it is important to find a space where the tree will thrive under your care.
- Determine what type and size of tree is best for your location.
- It is important to plant trees native to the environment that are also climate adaptive. Depending on the location, determine if it is better to plant a seedling, a sapling, or a more mature tree.
- Prepare to plant.
- Determine when and how you will get your trees for planting
- Check out suggestions to find a tree near you.
- Choose a date to plant that will set your tree up for success! Spring and fall are often the best times to plant.
- Gather your supplies, including necessary tools and accessible water.
- Develop a maintenance schedule for your trees to make sure they continue to thrive.
- Invite your community to join you.
- Invite non-Girl Scout friends to join in on the fun of planting. Ask each member of your troop to invite a friend to be a part of the magic.
- Team up with your local partners, including faith communities, to host a tree planting event. (Check out this video for more info.)
- Plant your trees.
- Record the trees you plant on the Girl Scout Tree Promise Tree Tracker and get your national Girl Scout Tree Promise patch.
For more detailed information on the Girl Scout Tree Promise, including additional activities, information on tree maintenance and care, and more, check out the Girl Scout Tree Promise Toolkit (PDF). You can also find informative videos to share with your troop.