SOUL has planted 10,851 large, native, water-loving trees since 2016. The summer of 2023 was the hottest on record. 69 New Orleanians died due to heat-related illness that summer, and New Orleans is now considered the worst heat island in the United States. Navigating an increasingly hotter climate means that a healthy tree canopy is more important than ever. When planted systematically, trees can absorb millions of gallons of stormwater, alleviating pressure on our overtaxed drainage system, and mitigating the flooding that can bring our city to a grinding halt. We plant contiguous blocks of trees until entire neighborhoods are planted. This thoughtful approach creates a lush canopy that cools our air up to 18°F, decreases energy bills, and reduces air pollution.

We're thinking big!

Our city has 18% tree canopy coverage, compared to other coastal Southern cities- Savannah (44%) and Charleston (63%). It is imperative that New Orleans is strategically reforested. Your donation will help us plant more trees, so give today.