SOUL

This June marks 10 years of Sustaining Our Urban Landscape (SOUL) reforesting New Orleans—and our work has never been more urgent or promising. Since 2016, we’ve planted more than 13,000 large, native trees across New Orleans, with the 2025–26 planting season becoming our largest ever, with 2,200 trees planted installed.

Reaching this milestone isn’t a finish line—it’s a foundation. New Orleans still has far too little tree canopy, and rising heat and flooding demand solutions at greater scale. This record-breaking season shows what’s possible when community, partners, and donors come together. 

Thanks to an anonymous donor who contributed $15,000 in matching funds, your donation doubles! Gifts made by midnight on May 5th are matched dollar for dollar up to $15,000, accelerating our ability to expand our planting efforts and reach more neighborhoods.

As we enter our second decade, your support helps ensure that every year ahead grows cooler, greener, and more resilient than the last.

Give today—and help us grow tomorrow’s tree canopy. 

Testimonials

During Katrina, we lost a lot of trees. So when SOUL came around and wanted to plant trees, I was all in...It's been a blessing to me. I really love the trees. Like I said, it gives a lot of shade. And eventually, when I do leave this Earth and pass this house down to my kids, they will have trees for shade. —Virdis, 2018 tree recipient

We planted a tiny river birch tree in our front yard from SOUL in 2016 and now it is the focal point of our home. It provides the shade we long for in summer, protects our roof from hurricane winds, and is the place we often gather to enjoy the afternoon. —Pitrina, 2016 tree recipient

Volunteering with SOUL over the last ten years and serving as Board Treasurer for six has been both life-changing and life-affirming for me. I have learned not only about trees – how they function and the value they bring to communities – but also about myself and what is important to me. The community that this organization has built is incredible and being a part of it has made me more optimistic about the future of New Orleans and more likely to contribute its sustainability. —Hayley