Numerous studies indicate that in the US the environment is kids' number one concern, though they often feel helpless to do anything about it. Tree Musketeers, the nation's first known youth environmental organization together with Kids For a Cleaner Environment (FACE), set the national One In A Million Campaign in motion in November 1997. They sought to engage a million young people in helping the planet and themselves through a coordinated urban forestry effort with full knowledge that tree planting can change the direction of young lives.

One In A Million Campaign emphasizes urban forestry as a holistic opportunity for youth development. Its goals are to: i) Provide environmental project mechanisms for adults to serve as mentors to young leaders; ii) Empower kids to create a healthy future for the planet and themselves; iii) Inspire safe, structured campaign activities for youth during non-school hours; iv) Educate kids with the leadership, business and technical skills required for successful plantings; and v) Create a platform for youth to give back through meaningful community service.

Since the campaign was launched, the message that every child can "Be Somebody! Be One In A Million!" has reached millions of eyes and ears. Tree Musketeers solicited ten national resource partners to help with outreach and, through broad memberships, stand ready to work hands-on with kids in local communities. There is a strong sense of solidarity and ownership evident in the way children speak of their One In A Million participation, providing an opportunity to raise the pitch of the youth voice in a national agenda committed to "honoring the past–imagining the future.

This campaign has inspired a true spirit of collaboration among dozens of tree-focused groups of all varieties, bringing huge benefits to the urban forestry effort as a whole. At the beginning of 2000, 991,664 kids across America have collectively put 1, 024,345 trees in the ground. Brochures were produced with the basic steps of proper tree planting and care, so nothing more is required to participate. For those wishing to enlarge upon the idea, national resource partners stand ready to support local projects, and Tree Musketeers' hotline is available. After the plantings, participants mail their registration form to be officially included. The form asks for names, groups, sponsors, volunteer hours, number of trees and the care plan. A One In A Million certificate is then mailed. Every child will "be somebody" since their name will appear in the final Campaign report to be delivered to the President through Millennium Green at the White House planting of the millionth tree. Both Tree Musketeers and Kids F.A.C.E. offer 800 numbers, web sites, and ability to respond to the volume of calls and letters. A periodic One In A Million newsletter from Tree Musketeers targets its mostly teenage audience, groups and partners, and Kids F.A.C.E.'s bi-monthly newsletter reaches over two million younger children. Kids Yard posters, Hometown Forests Action Kits, and particular partner resources are mailed upon request. Tree Musketeers' speaker's bureau is an effective promotion tool as are regional summits. In addition to the one million local trees, State Trees will be planted by Tree Musketeers, Kids F.A.C.E., partner groups, and Kids F.A.C.E. representatives in each of the 50 states. And finally, the National One In A Million Tree will be planted in 2000. Soil from each State Tree will nurture the National Tree, and the One In A Million report will be submitted to America's Promise and the White House Millennium Council.

Tree planting is the vehicle for delivering fundamental resources for success to young people. Scores of youth activists have demonstrated the powerful impact of volunteerism and personal and community development; this is an opportunity to expand that experience a million-fold. Short-term benefits include one million children's sense of power in accomplishment, forging relationships between kids and the mentors who help them, and of course, putting new trees in the ground. In the long run, the youth and their million trees will improve the global and local environments, enhance the economic vitality of communities, and beautify.

Tara Church
One In A Million Campaign
Tree Musketeers136 Main St., Al Segundo, CA 90245
Tel. (310) 322 0263
Fax: (310) 322 4482
Email: Tara@TreeMusketeers.org
Website: www.treemusketeers.org