History

History

The Association traces its roots in Jersey to 1937, when a number of Islanders established a Jersey branch of the Men of the Trees, however the charity was founded in Kenya in 1922 by Dr Richard St Barbe Baker. He dedicated the whole of his life to helping to plant and protect trees throughout the world. He helped to save thousands of acres of the Californian Redwoods forests; and started efforts to reclaim parts of the sub-Saharan area; he launched the “Decade of the Trees” in Brazil, in the early 1980’s in an effort to halt the destruction of the Amazonian rain forest; and he was responsible for many other tree planting projects throughout the world.

It has been estimated that, during his lifetime, he was responsible for the planting of over 27,000 million trees and, in consequence, he became known as “The Man of the Trees” - a epithet which gave rise to the name of the association which he founded.

The Jersey Association of the Men of the Trees has played an important part in helping to plant and to care for trees within the Island. It employs a dedicated team which each year plants many thousands of trees, generally in areas intended to provide maximum benefit for landscape enhancement, for wildlife benefit and for shelter.

The Association’s staff and committee members have over the years been involved in many important projects relating to trees and woodlands within the Island, including the planting of trees along the old Corbière railway track, the replanting of the avenue by St Ouen’s Manor and the planting of a woodland at Grainville school; the latter won an award as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s 40^th Anniversary celebrations. The Association is dedicated to educating people on the importance of trees in our environment.

The Jersey Association was established as an independent Jersey charity in 1989, so allowing it to own and rent land and to receive gifts or devises by agreement or by legacies from those who wish to assist it in such a way.