Support Reforestation Across the Indigenous West

Happy spring to one and all!

After a long winter, we at Trees, Water & People (TWP) are excited to begin the planting season on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. Last week, we happily bid farewell to 15,000 Ponderosa Pine seedlings provided by the Colorado State Forest Service Nursery. These trees will help reforest areas burned by wildfires on Pine Ridge.

Planting the Ponderosas will sequester carbon and reduce greenhouse gases, improve air and water quality, reduce soil erosion, reestablish wildlife habitat, and enhance ecosystem resiliency, while engaging Native Americans in the protection of their lands. One thousand of the seedlings were sent with special well wishes written on gardening stakes by the Earth Day patrons from TWP’s recent Earth Day event in Colorado with New Belgium Brewery and Topo Designs. The collaboration was a huge success and a whole lot of fun! 

Helping us plant all these trees and veggies is long-time supporter, Rob Beheady of BeHeady.com. Rob has been raising funds to plant trees with TWP for many years through the sale of his beautiful steel drums. We are so grateful to have his help and support!

The tree planting crew consistes of 11 Native Americans and 3 non-Native volunteers, with Henry Red Cloud, our Lakota partner who runs Lakota Solar Enterprises, at the lead. Dispite a late frost scare, all the trees made it safe and sound and are in the process of establishing themselves in their new home.

We could not have done this without you! Thank you all for your generous support. We look forward to continuing this reforestation project into the future.

At the Colorado State Forest Service Tree Nursery in Fort Collins, Colorado, 17,250 ponderosa pine tree seedlings are basking in the Colorado sun, growing strong as they await transport to their new home on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. In May of 2016, we will move the trees to the reservation, where they will be planted in areas that have been devastated by severe fires.

In 2015, we worked with the Oglala Sioux Tribe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), and local tribe members to plant 10,000 ponderosa pines. This year, we will nearly double our reforestation efforts and also create nine part-time jobs in the process. In an area that has seen very poor management of forest resources, tree planting will create many positive outcomes for current and future generations.

Pinus ponderosa, commonly known as the ponderosa pine, is the most widely distributed pine tree in the United States. “Ponderosa” is the Latin word for “heavy, weighty, or significant” and refers to the impressive size and stature of the trees. It’s yellow to orange-red bark distinguishes it from other species. The ponderosa pine is of vital use to Native American tribes who have used its boughs, pitch and needles to produce medicine, its roots to create a blue dye, the needles for insulation, and boards for construction. The ponderosa pines we are planting were started from seed collected in South Dakota.

We are so thankful for your support of these important reforestation efforts on the tribal lands of the Oglala Sioux. Your support has helped to make this project become a reality. We hope you will consider making an additional donation so we can reach our fundraising goal!