Fight for climate change
The Climate crisis is already here.
It’s easy to think of the climate crisis like some slowly creeping monster that inches closer with every reckless decision we make for our planet. Truth is, for many Americans, climate change is already here. In fact, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) communities across the country have been disproportionately impacted for decades.
At TAZO, we believe everyone has a responsibility to not only protect the planet, but those in communities that are most vulnerable to this crisis. And, together, we can achieve climate justice by centering BIPOC-led climate solutions.
TAZOTREE CORPS
It’s a simple fact that trees are vital for the planet and everyone on it. They can help a community in so many ways: from a neighborhood’s air and water quality, and mental health, to increasing property value, lowering utility bills, and creating more jobs.
But not every neighborhood gets to enjoy these benefits. Due to a history of racist housing practices, predominantly BIPOC communities have 20% fewer trees on average than white communities.
That’s why we’re teaming up with American Forests to launch the TAZO Tree Corps, a paid tree-planting workforce led by The Davey Tree Expert Company that’ll help reforest BIPOC communities in five major cities.
*Submission deadline: March 12, 2021. Applicants for this year’s Tree Corps must be 21+, identify as Black, Indigenous or another Person of Color living in Detroit, Minneapolis, or the San Francisco Bay Area, and interested in tree maintenance and working outdoors. Check the full list of requirements to make sure you’re eligible.
The cities we're impacting
DETROIT
Detroit
The Detroit Conservation Corps provides paid training, workplace skill development, and more.
RICHMOND
RICHMOND
Stay tuned for more information on Richmond!
MINNEAPOLIS
MINNEAPOLIS
The YouthBuild program provides paid training to help maintain and improve the city’s green spaces.
THE BRONX
THE BRONX
Stay tuned for more information on the Bronx!
THE SF BAY AREA
THE SF BAY AREA
Our City Forest trains young BIPOC adults to improve the urban forest across Silicon Valley.
TAZO X SZA
Our tree corps ambassador
Our tree corps ambassador
You’ve probably heard of SZA by now. Maybe you fell in love with her Grammy-nominated album Ctrl. Maybe you have her hit single “Good Days” on repeat. But SZA isn’t just an artist with over 75 awards and nominations to her name. She’s also an advocate for climate justice.
In 2018, SZA launched the Ctrl Fishing Company, a sustainable clothing line focused on saving the ocean from plastic pollution, with 100% of profits going straight to supporting environmental groups. Now, she’s helping BIPOC communities achieve tree equity by teaming up with TAZO to transform concrete jungles into urban forests.
GROW YOUR FUTURE
The climate crisis is an intersectional issue that affects people in ways we don’t always consider. The same BIPOC communities feeling the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis are also disproportionately impacted by unemployment and joblessness. That’s why the TAZO Tree Corps isn’t just a climate solution—it’s a paid opportunity to improve your community.
As a member, you won’t just learn to be a local climate advocate, you’ll gain the tangible on-the-job skills you need to make a career in urban forestry management.
A Brighter future starts with shade
It’s past time to address the disparity in tree cover in our nation’s cities, and bring the benefits of the urban forest to BIPOC communities. Tree equity isn’t just an environmental issue. It’s a moral imperative.
Just like buildings, streets, and sewer lines, trees are essential infrastructure that improve quality of life and impact nearly every aspect of a neighborhood.
