For over 8 years, Chief Henry Red Cloud and tribal community members have planted trees on Oglala Tribal Lands (known as Pine Ridge, South Dakota) to restore areas impacted by wildfires. Since this reforestation effort began, over 160,000 ponderosa pines and other culturally significant species have been planted and distributed in the local community.

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We know the profound impact of travel – particularly interculturally-focused travel – on young people. It can literally change the course of their lives and careers. However, this kind of life-changing experience is usually outside the means of students from lower-income backgrounds.

Planting trees is about more than just planting trees. We hear this frequently from our partners. On Lakota Tribal Lands, planting trees is done with great care, intention, and gratitude. When asked about what makes Pine Ridge a special place for him, Chief Henry Red Cloud told us it was the beautiful country, the rolling hills and the animals. “It’s all here,” he mentioned as he spoke on the importance of honoring trees as relatives.