A group of volunteers plant young trees together in a forest during an outdoor community planting project.

Planting trees

2019–2023

My Tree, My City – Germany’s largest community tree-planting campaign

In 2019, the ‘Mein Baum – Mein Dresden’ initiative was launched in Dresden as a blueprint for independent tree-planting initiatives. In a non-political and community-led way, citizens are making their city greener, thereby improving the climate, biodiversity and quality of life.

We steered the initiative for Dresden until 2023, when we handed over the reins. Now it is up to the people of Dresden. MBMD was conceived as a community-led project from the very beginning. The plan has always been to hand over the planting projects to initiatives led by the city’s residents, thereby creating space for civic engagement. By handing over project management, we want to refocus 100 per cent on our core project and preserve intact ecosystems worldwide from disappearing.

110,000

Trees and shrubs

had already been planted in Dresden and the surrounding area by 2023

10,000

volunteers

took part in the planting initiatives and created wilderness areas in Dresden

267,900

Donations in euros

have made the initiative possible

You, 20 years from now, in Dresden and the surrounding area. Loads of greenery. Fresh air. A brilliant climate that you helped to create. Back then, during the 2022 tree-planting campaign.
Ronny Scholz
Board of Wilderness International

My Tree – My Dresden
: Key information about the initiative, illustrated by the local campaign in Dresden.

Target
: 550,000 trees for Dresden – that’s one for every resident of Dresden!

What?
Between 2019 and 2023, over 110,000 trees have already been planted.

When?
From 2019 to 2023, every year in autumn and spring – during the best planting season (usually in November and December, as well as in February) – we have been planting trees and shrubs in Dresden and the surrounding area together with many volunteers. Now it’s your turn!

How?
Financial donations enable us to purchase the plants and organise the project. Landowners voluntarily make the land available for planting free of charge. They commit to leaving the trees and shrubs in place and will also take care of their future maintenance.

Why?
We plant native trees and shrubs. In this way, we improve biodiversity and create habitats. For clean air. For butterflies, wild bees and singing birds. For a healthy sense of community. For a greener, more liveable and healthier Dresden. And to set an example for the rest of the world!

We humans spend a lot of time outdoors. In summer in particular, we enjoy lying in the shade of the trees, listening to the songbirds and breathing in the fresh air. That’s why I think it’s high time we planted 550,000 trees – and in doing so, make our lives more beautiful!
Johannes Kaul Dresden

Further planting initiatives

81 per cent of Dresden’s residents would like to see more public green spaces. Between 5 August and 30 September 2017, 12,500 randomly selected residents with their main residence in Dresden were invited to take part in the survey.

SDG 11

SDG 11 aims to improve air quality, ensure access to safe and inclusive green spaces, and increase the number of cities and human settlements implementing projects to mitigate climate change, adapt to climate change and promote disaster resilience.
SDG 11 logo on orange background showing white buildings and text
Through the ‘My Tree – My City’ project, we are helping to achieve SDG 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is ‘My Tree – My Dresden’?

    "My Tree – My Dresden" is a community initiative that aims to plant a tree in Dresden for every resident. Above all, however, the initiative is intended as a blueprint to inspire the implementation of the same campaign in many towns and cities across Germany. This is made possible because all the materials are available as open source.

  • Is WI running ‘My Tree – My Dresden’?

    From 2019 to 2023, we led the initiative for Dresden. In 2023, we handed over the reins. Now it is up to the people of Dresden. MBMD was conceived as a community-led project from the very beginning. The plan has always been to hand over the plantings to initiatives run by the city’s residents, thereby creating space for civic engagement. We would like to use this opportunity to refocus 100 per cent on our core project and work to preserve intact ecosystems worldwide from disappearing.

  • Has WI brought the ‘My Tree – My Dresden’ initiative to an end, and if so, why?

    We have not brought the initiative to an end; we have simply stepped down from the project management role and handed the project over to the town’s residents. From the very beginning, MBMD was conceived as an open-source initiative based on civic engagement. It can therefore continue at any time, provided there are people willing to get involved.

  • What has already been achieved as part of the ‘My Tree – My Dresden’ initiative?

    The initiative has been a great success so far. By the end of 2022, €267,900 had been raised in donations, all of which was spent on the planting scheme. In total, 10,000 volunteers have helped to make Dresden and its surrounding area greener with more than 110,000 trees and shrubs. The participation of Dresden school classes, companies, families and many volunteer citizens of Dresden has been overwhelming – despite all the difficulties during the pandemic. This means that 20 per cent of the target of 500,000 trees – one for every city resident – has already been achieved.

  • How can I get involved in planting?

    Find out from existing planting initiatives whether they need volunteers or support. Or start your own initiative in your own town! Thanks to the open-source materials, this is easy to do. We’re here to help if you have any questions.

  • Further questions

    We answer further questions on the FAQ page for “My Tree – My Dresden”.