Part of our work in service to the Britton Fund – perhaps a majority – is to raise funds for Research and Education (for both industry professionals and the general public) into ways to improve tree health in all environments, but with a focus on trees in the urban interface. This effort necessarily includes a primary educational component on a one-to-one basis as we ask folks to contribute financially to our effort.

In other words, we ask people to see the importance of a healthy Urban Forest as we do and support our effort financially. After all, most folks see they world not as the world is (objectively) but as they themselves are. If we can impart some of the sense of our own feeling about the importance of trees perhaps we can gain a collaborator in our effort to preserve tree health.

After spending over 40 years in the tree care industry, and having been part of research nd educational fundraising for both the TREE Fund and The Britton Fund since 2003, the best I can do at this point is to say:

Trees make me better. I feel better surrounded by trees. I like climbing in them, pruning them, and most especially planting them. We experience less violence and feel more at peace around trees. They improve our neighborhoods and gathering places by giving us a sense of peace and place.

Trees offer a myriad of other benefits that are well documented – shade, stormwater retention, building materials, food, habitat for other carbon based life forms, pollution absorption, financial returns (think extension of municipal pavement life), etc…but I think the human experience of just feeling better around trees may outweigh these reason based justifications. I know it does for me. Trees make me better.

If you can ask yourself if you also feel better around trees and find a positive response, please also find it in your heart to support the work the Britton Fund does my joining me in making a donation to The Britton Fund to celebrate California Arbor Day around March 7th, or National Arbor Day (also Nevada State and Arizona State Arbor Day) April 26th.

Donations to our Silent Auction May 2nd or to Support our Britton Fund Riders April 29th are also welcome and very much appreciated! https://www.thebrittonfund.org/britton-fund-ride-2024/

We are surrounded by trees and the natural word at all times. Help us help ourselves by making a donation today at https://www..org/fundraisingmilestones/

Together, We Care for Trees!

Best,

Doug Anderson

Chair, The Britton Fund