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Healing Trees is a cooperative effort between The Fusion Foundation and the Arizona Community Tree Council. Because trees bring shade and shelter, color and beauty and cleanse the air we breathe, planting trees seemed to the two groups to be a fitting tribute to the victims of the January 8, 2011, shooting in Tuscon, Arizona, as well as provide a message of hope for the city. The theme of the project is “Heal Our Communities, Offer Remembrance and Celebrate Life.”

The planting effort started on February 14, the 99th birthday of the state of Arizona. Trees were planted at Phoenix’s Crittendon Youth Academy and also downtown at the Cesar Chavez Plaza. More plantings are being planned. Organizers hope that children will embrace the project not only as a selfless act of compassion but will learn about the environment and botany in the process.

Some of tools being utilized are Shel Silverstein’s book “The Giving Tree” as well as GPS tracking to allow kids and volunteers to track the location of the trees that have been planted. As more trees are planted, they will also be tracked. It is an easy way for the children to visualize the progress of the plantings as they view the virtual forest on the internet.

Another effort in Pennsylvania utilizes GPS as a means to track beautiful and unusual trees that are older, non-native species and are being crowded out by common maple and oak trees. Their locations are recorded by Marge and Ray Schwegal, residents of a nearby retirement community. Their hope is that children will enjoy tracking the trees using GPS-enabled cell phones and thereby getting some fresh air and finding out that nature can be as exciting as playing video games.

GPS can be used in a wide range of outdoor activities, encouraging people to enjoy nature, think of their fellow man, and do some good at the same time. Tracking trees is just one enjoyable way to learn about nature and perhaps make a difference. In the words of those working with Healing Trees, it is possible to choose to be instruments of peace, compassion and understanding with ourselves and in our communities.

Article Written by Nichole Decoust