Green Trees Once More

Project Summary

A retired educator turned tree-planting advocate has mobilized over 75 student volunteers to plant 565 Bald Cypress trees over two years — sequestering carbon, cooling the community, and providing lasting wildlife habitat, all through a nonprofit he built after leaving the classroom.

Detailed Story

Peter’s work runs through Green Trees Once More, a 501(c)(3) operating as SevenCypress.org, dedicated to combating the climate crisis one tree at a time, sequestering CO2, providing wildlife habitat, filtering water, and cooling communities through shade. Though retired from both the classroom and the office, Peter has continued finding new student volunteers to join the effort, proving that meaningful climate work doesn’t stop at retirement.

The numbers have grown steadily: 250 Bald Cypress trees planted in 2023, followed by 300 more on Earth Day 2024 along Lake Apopka Preserve Drive, plus an additional 15 trees for the City of Casselberry, bringing the two-year total to 565 trees. Bald Cypress was a deliberate choice, selected specifically for its ability to withstand the region’s periodic storms, its surprising medicinal value (its cones are used in prostate medicine), and its remarkable longevity, meaning the environmental benefits these trees provide will compound for generations to come.

Peter sees this work as something any educator can build into their teaching, regardless of subject. Almost every course taught in school can incorporate student involvement to help for the future. His invitation extends beyond the classroom too; he’s actively looking for organizations interested in having trees planted on their property.

Impact Statement

Planted 565 Bald Cypress trees over two years (250 in 2023, 315 in 2024), providing long-term carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat, water filtration, and community cooling benefits, while mobilizing a rotating base of student volunteers well beyond Peter’s own classroom career.