Today is Earth Day, and we thought a good way to celebrate the day would be to tell you about an event held some time ago, where postcrossers came together to help plant a pine forest in central Portugal. Enjoy this sunny report!
After a hiatus of two years due to the pandemic, it was time to get together again to expand Postcrossing’s tiny forest! So in early February this year, a group of postcrossers gathered once more to plant trees and reforest a part of the old Pinhal de Leiria, an historical forest from the 13th century which was mostly destroyed in a disastrous fire some years ago. It will take years and years for the forest to regain its previous splendor… but you know what they say: “the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now.”
This time, the plot we replanted was in the dunes nearer the Atlantic ocean, which gave it nice views over the sea. (I like to think of all the tiny pine trees growing with a sea view!) All of us moved along the previously plowed rows, taking care not to damage any trees that were already growing on their own. All morning we made holes, put little trees in them and covered them up so that they were protected from the fierce Atlantic winds. Here are some pictures:
We planted around 700 tiny maritime pine trees, also known as “Pinus pinaster”. Maritime pine is a relatively fast grower, and native to the Mediterranean, so it likes our hot summers and rainy winters. It’s also a great tree to hold onto the dunes and help stabilize coastal regions. Talking to the organizers of the reforestation initiative, they told us the seeds that sprouted these baby pines had been sent from the forest that existed here to France before the fire, and were now returning home to be planted here again. Hurray for seed banks!
After a picnic and some coffee, it was time to go back home, with the feeling of a job well done. Maybe something to consider, for a future meeting in your country? We invite you to roll up your sleeves and go for it! 🌲 And if that’s not possible but you’d still like some ideas of things you can do to make this hobby greener, check our Towards a greener planet page! 🌲
PS: All the pictures in this post are by Tetyana (aka tatytrofamets), who did an excellent job reporting on this fantastic day!
66 comments so far
Congratulations on this positive environmental initiative. It's a good reminder of that saying, "think globally, act locally."
Hooray - what a super initiative! A little forest now grows thanks to the care and vision of dedicated Postcrossers! What an inspiration...
That was a really good thing. Every step that helps our battered earth is an important step.
Inspirational and such an awesome project.
Wonderful! These small trees are so cute, and it's amazing to think that they are going to stay there (hopefully) for centuries...
I wish there can be more similar projects in the future, in other countries!
O B R I G A D O !
Great initiative and you did great job!
Here in Russia a few years ago there was an action by Greenpeace to collect acorns in order to plant oak forests in future. I collected acorns under the oak trees in my city.
🤎Congratulations
Congratulations!
What a nice project. Well done!
How wonderful!
I like the conbination of doing somthing for the earth and the future, for the climat and to safe the soil in a group at a fantastic place!
Imagine: Lots of postcrossers in every country do the same…Let‘s do it!
I am looking forward to get to know the next planting story!
Happy earthday!
What a wonderful thing to do!
What a nice idea! I love it. If more people make such projects, our World will be a better place! For humans, plants and animals, for the Region, for all.
How wonderful!
It was a great day!
For me it was the first time i joined a group of poscrossers, and i’m looking forward to the next…
❤️😀
Amazing project! :)
Fantastic - kudos!
please count me in for the next planting :)
Well done! I've been to this place 3 times, for the same purpose. Now, there is a similar project in Monchique, reforest after the fires and much richer, because quite diversidade trees are planted 🙏
How meaningful!
Chapeau for the hard work.
With all the climate changes it becomes more obvious how nature and human alike need trees and other greens for their existence.
It was a pleasure to get together again.
Happy eathday!
Those of you out there doing something for all of us are also Earth’s gifts. Thank you. May your efforts be fruitful. And EVERY DAY we should be able to shout out HAPPY EARTH DAY 🌲
Happy Earth day.
Good work! And have you been able to visit the ones you planted a few years back? Would love an update on them!
I'm not so great with planting, but every time I travel, I donate money to plant trees and sea kelp to more than offset my share of the emissions.
Thanks for your good work. We avidly support your project and have planted trees in our area through the Sacramento Tree Foundation. Together we can make a difference. Bravo!
What a wonderful endeavor!
Thank you for the Sunny report.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing this news!
Good job! I love it!
Happy Earth Day to you - what a wonderful initiative your group of Postcrossers undertook. That is inspiring! Enjoy the spring season. Thank you!
What a wonderful thing to do for our earth. Love to see how things are going years from now. I hope some day to visit Portugal and see these trees .
Wonderful. I’d love to join a trip like this:)
Great Earth Day project!
That's a wonderful story and I really appreciate large organizations (as we Postcrossers definately are 😀) to help environment and care for nature.
I'm more into avoiding plastic, sustainability and food waste.
Hope there is enough water to let the pines grow!
Thanks again to everyone who made this amazing project happen 🌲
🌳🌲 Lovely Post. Keep up the good work 🌲🌳
Thank you all for planting more trees!
Approximately half of Washington State is forested and several areas that lost trees to one disaster or another continue to have new tree starts planted. In May of 1980, millions of trees were knocked down by the mountain volcano eruption. Mt. St. Helens volcanic eruption area is really looking good, after millions of seedlings were planted, and is very popular to visit. New construction areas require nature improvement. The Oso Landslide area is vastly improved. We breathe out and the trees take it in and give us fresh air to breathe in and continue the process. I mail a postcard and another one arrives.
Happy Postcrossing Always!
Beautiful! ❤️
Another thing I love about Postcrossers ! Willing to be part of the solution!
well done. congrats
So Grateful to see this. EarthDay Birthday Everyday from Postcrossing!
Fantastic job everyone! Such a great initiative.
Love it!
Thank you all :)
Loved seeing this post. . .always enjoy photos of Postcrossers from around the world, too. Please keep us updated on all the growing trees. Belated greetings for Earth Day -- and remember Arbor Day - April 28.
What a great project, and so impressive that you are sustaining your efforts. That's what the earth needs from all of us. Thank you for sharing, and for doing!
Great works!!!
This is wonderful and must have been such fun too.
Inspirational!! 😍
i love this idea contuinue this way never give postcrossers!!!＜（＾－＾）＞(ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:･ﾟ✧!
Awesome project!
Thank you for sharing this with us
great work
Beautiful work. Thank you.
Congratulations. This is also a good idea for meetups, not only meeting to sign postcards but also to do something good for the environment.
Those lovely baby pines 🌲🌲🌲😻
Every year I am more proud to join this project. Congrats. The tme is now for sure.
Very cool project! 💚
I'm not very happy at the moment. I have serious health problems. But this initiative makes me so happy. It calms me down. Thanks for sharing this.
I helped plant trees years ago in a nearby town. Very satisfying to see small trees grow big.
A wonderful project. A big shout-out to all who participated.
You all rock! Thank you for doing it! :-)
A wonderful project. Thanks to all those who joined in. The whole world benefits.
Awesome work :)
Wonderful. Hope someone stayed behind to look after those trees!
That is so wonderful 🤗
It's wonderful that such a community raises such topics and helps nature🌱
Congratulations
It's a great event
This is lovelyyy! Kudos to you all, extremely happy to be a part of postcrossing community!
Congratulations 🤎
This is so wonderful. A big THANK YOU to all those who joined in on this project.
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