“I want to give children opportunities to fall in love with nature,” says Andrea Koehle Jones, Founder, The ChariTree Foundation. “You protect what you love.”
Andrea Koehle Jones is an award-winning children’s environmental education advocate, journalist, writer/producer and children’s book author. She is dedicated to introducing children to the wonders of nature through her writing and her environmental work advocating for accessible, hands-on climate education programs for kids.
Andrea is a United Nations Climate Observer. She has attended the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow as well as various other UN climate meetings. Most recently, Andrea was at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Montréal in December 2022.
She is an award-winning documentary producer, formerly with CBC News, Newsworld International and CBC4KIDS. She has worked for various environmental organizations including Greenpeace and The David Suzuki Foundation. Andrea especially learned lots working with the inspiring Greenpeace Canada team as a communications specialist during the campaign to save The Great Bear Rainforest. She founded The ChariTree Foundation on Earth Day 2006 and runs the charity for free (when she is not at her other jobs) so all donations can go directly towards climate education opportunities for children and youth.
The ChariTree Foundation strives to reach children who would otherwise not be able to participate. If children are going to make a lifelong commitment to protect the environment for themselves and future generations, they first need time to explore the wonders of nature,” said Koehle Jones.
Andrea is a recipient of the 2011 Canadian Camping Association’s Award of Excellence for her national environmental education program for her national children’s tree planting projects at summer camps. She earned a 2021 Cornell University Climate Change Leadership Letter of Completion from College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She also has a Masters degree in Journalism from Western University and a Queen’s University BAH in Geography with a focus on international development. She lives on a tree-topped island off the coast of Vancouver, Canada.
The Wish Trees
The ChariTree Foundation loves to support Wish Tree Planting Projects. When kids plant their tree they get to make a wish for the world. Every time kids return to care for their tree or spend time with their tree they can make more wishes. Here are a few wishes from children who planted Wish Trees:
“I wish I had super powers to save the earth and save people.” – Aiden, Hamilton, Ontario.
“I wish for a happy and healthy planet, so it can be there for generations to enjoy.” – Kiana, Toronto
“I wish kids everywhere will have the opportunity to plant trees just like me so we can make the world healthier together. Thank you so much to The ChariTree Foundation.” – Avery, Vancouver, BC
Andrea is the author of the children’s book The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place. She also wrote the lyrics to the tree song “My Persephone.” Andrea donates a portion of profits from her book and song sales to children’s climate education projects.
“There’s something so hopeful about planting trees,” said Koehle Jones. “I’ll never forget the children we planted trees with and I’ll never stop trying to bring more children hands-on climate education opportunities, especially children in areas hardest hit by climate change.” WATCH YOUTUBE VIDEO: The ChariTree Foundation: A Wish Tree for Every Child.
