Trees save lives. We save trees.

Donate

We plant, preserve and educate

What We Know

Charlottesville’s tree canopy coverage has declined significantly from 2004 to today.

Neighborhoods below 40% tree canopy are considered unhealthy where residents suffer more from heat related illnesses. Unfortunately, 10 of Charlottesville 19 neighborhoods are below 40% tree canopy. The good news is that Charlottesville has the potential to achieve tree canopy coverage of 59% by mostly planting on private property - that’s what we do.

What We Are Doing

ReLeaf Cville is rooted in a simple truth: trees save lives—so we save trees.

We protect the health of Charlottesville by expanding and maintaining the tree canopy, focusing on neighborhoods impacted by rising heat as the climate changes.

We do this by planting trees, preserving mature trees, and educating the next generation of environmental leaders.

Our Impact Since 2022

Planted 508 trees

These tree were planted in four Charlottesville neighborhoods which need them the most– in 10th & Page, Rose Hill, Fifeville and Woolen Mills.

Preserved 100 mature trees

With a 3-year $189.9K grant from the Virginia Department of Forestry, we have started an innovative program, only the second in Virginia. We offer free tree care to preserve mature trees in two low-income areas of the City. Preserving existing trees is even more important than planting new trees, which can take 15-20 years to provide the benefits of existing trees. Services include pruning, cabling, pest and disease control and mulching.

Empowered 75 teenagers & presented to over 600 school children

We have built a number of programs to educate students about the value of trees and nature. Our signature program is the Green Team, where teenagers participate in a training program about the value of trees, the impacts of climate change, tree maintenance, and tree planting.

Another program, Voices for Change, is a centralized hub for environmental action and information