iTReeBank -Plant One for Me

Global Reach for Local Roots

iTreeBank, a 24-7-365 "funding engine" located at www.itreebank.org , provides an easy way to support hometown community forests through local nonprofit branches.

Why the Need For iTreeBank? Our cities and towns are growing at unprecedented rates, and satellite photos dramatically show they are turning gray. Gray is the color of the surfaces and rooftops of our built environment. At the same time, the green is disappearing. iTreeBank branches provide a pro-active way for anyone, anywhere to support local urban forests and make a difference where we live - in our own community. Dollar for dollar, there is no better investment in the local environment.

How Does iTreeBank Work? First, iTreeBank provides a simple Web-based "funding engine" to build community funds for hometown forests. Second, iTreeBank works with qualified branches that identify projects to support.

"Tree planting is a very local activity. Trees survive best and produce their needed benefits when the planning, planting and care are coordinated locally. iTreeBank is a much needed independent community-based service that helps match donors and their resources directly with local organizations and projects in the areas they wish to green." -Andy Lipkis, President TreePeople

Third, iTreeBank distributes funds to branches. It's simple! The donor chooses an area (designated branches or the national fund) and makes a secure e-commerce donation. Branches are funded for local planting and care, and the many benefits of tree canopy expand.

What Does iTreeBank Do? Using cost-efficient technology, iTreeBank provides the tool to build local funds in order to plant and support healthy "urban forests" in any community. By working together, "branch offices" help support each other.

• Technology provides e-commerce for branches.
• Technology provides cost-efficient outreach.
• Technology can track many branches.
• Branches are marketing together.
• Branches help drive traffic.

Why should people contribute? Urban forests provide a long list of benefits for the environment in urbanized areas, where 80% of Americans live. Trees are the only part of the infrastructure that appreciates in value as the rest depreciates. The great majority of community trees are on private property, so the public has a key role and personal responsibility for the majority of the environment where we live - the urbanized habitat. Most people want to support the environment, but many don't know how. iTreeBank branches provide a way!

Who's Helping? The United States may be economically challenged and politically divided, but most Americans care deeply about this country, the economy and the environment, and even more deeply the closer they get to home.

Federal, state and municipal governments provide limited support as many cities struggle just to keep up with essential services. Local nonprofit organizations deliver urban forestry programs to community residents on the local level. But current funding only scratches the surface as population growth and development expands U.S. communities.

The Sleeping Lion: What's Missing? Public awareness and mass public participation. Most people are willing to contribute, but don't know where or how. What if there was a way to awaken the "sleeping lion" of the American public to the value of local environmental stewardship? What if there was an easy way to get involved?

iTreeBank branches provide "Global Reach for Local Roots." At the same time, the iTreeBank branches support each other by marketing together and taking advantage of the economy of scale that technology has to offer.

How Can You Help?

• Give to a branch
• Open a branch
• Support your local branch
• Link to iTreeBank
• In-kind assistance
• Become a Sponsor - a great way to distinguish your business.

Find out more about iTreeBank at www.itreebank.org or e-mail your questions to support @itreebank.org

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TreeLink is the most extensive compilation of urban forestry resources on the Web. It was created in 1996 with support from the USDA Forest Service on the recommendation of the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, and a grant from the Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation.