The Problem
On January 7, 2025, unprecedented wildfires swept through Los Angeles, devastating both the Pacific Palisades and Altadena communities, destroying more than 16,000 structures, severely damaging more than a dozen schools, and burning over 50,000 acres. Overnight, families were forced to disperse in hopes of finding temporary housing. Schools turned to online education and scrambled to find new locations – sometimes in distant areas of the city. After years of disruption from COVID, students and parents faced renewed isolation, uncertainty and in many cases despair. Young people were not only separated from friends, but they were overwhelmed and anxious about the state of the environment. In response, TREEAMS (Trees + Dreams) was created as a student-led movement that brings young people together from across the city to connect with nature and move forward together to transform our city into a model of post-fire ecological renewal.
Our Plan
TREEAMS is a student-led movement of healing, hope, and action, empowering students to plant trees, restore community, and reimagine Los Angeles as a greener, more resilient city for generations to come. Students from across Los Angeles are participating, from preschool through college, in both public and private schools. In year one, we have partnered with over 10 schools and have 35 student leaders. Additionally, TREEAMS is partnering with UCLA School of Education and EcoRise to create an environmental curriculum that teaches students about the interconnectivity of trees in the world and environmental stewardship. Student leaders in high school will teach this material to peers, as well as younger students who are eager to learn about the importance of trees in our urban environments. TREEAMS follows the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tacare method by working closely with community members, schools, and grassroots organizations to design solutions that reflect each neighborhood’s needs. We are consulting with arborists, local tree experts, and indigenous leaders to ensure that every planting strengthens our urban environment, choosing the right trees for the right locations so they thrive for the next 50 to 100 years. Over the next five years, TREEAMS plans to plant several thousand trees, using the Jane Goodall Institute’s Tree Planting and Restoration System to monitor their long-term health and impact. TREEAMS is about restoring our environment while at the same time helping young people and communities recover from the trauma of the fires. By building a network of students, families, and partners across Los Angeles, TREEAMS creates a living ecosystem of support and renewal. Every tree planted is a symbolic act of unity, recovery, and hope. Together, students and their communities will not only heal what was lost, but help shape a greener, more resilient Los Angeles for generations to come. In doing so, TREEAMS is creating a model for how to face future climate challenges — not with fear, but with action, connection, and unwavering resilience..
