Canada’s ChariTree Foundation Plants Hope in Malawi on 20th Anniversary

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The ChariTree Foundation Marks 20 Years with a Global Call for Children’s Climate Education

April 24, 2026 | 3 min read

VANCOUVER — The ChariTree Foundation has announced a $20,000 donation to launch a new environmental education and tree-planting program. The initiative reinforces its two-decade commitment to empowering youth through nature in communities facing escalating climate impacts.

“Despite the urgency, climate change is being overshadowed, and far more must be done to protect children,” said Andrea Koehle Jones, founder of The ChariTree Foundation. “Rather than celebrating, we are directing resources to where they’re needed most—supporting children and communities on the front lines of the climate crisis.”

The initiative comes at a critical time for the southern African nation, which is grappling with severe and accelerating climate impacts.

Malawi, one of the world’s poorest countries, faces increasing heatwaves, droughts, and severe flooding, contributing to food insecurity, malnutrition and water scarcity.

“Children are growing up in a digital world while inheriting a climate crisis,” said Koehle Jones. Environmental education gives them the connection, confidence, and tools to be part of the solution.”

Growing Opportunities for Children and Youth

In partnership with the Compact Resource Foundation, the initiative will deliver a hands-on environmental education program that engages children in tree planting and climate learning. The program aims to equip young people with practical knowledge while strengthening community resilience.

“Your generosity enables us to focus on establishing a dedicated children’s environmental education program, nurturing the next generation with knowledge, responsibility, and hope for the stewardship of their natural environment,” said Kevin Jones, president of Compact Resource Foundation.

The donation from ChariTree will fund a hands-on environmental education curriculum that engages children directly in climate and biodiversity learning and action. A key component is the planting of fruit-bearing trees, such as mango and lychee, which will not only contribute to reforestation and soil health but also directly address food security by providing a sustainable source of nutrition for communities. This work complements CRF’s broader projects, which include installing solar-powered water systems to provide clean drinking water and support for small-scale irrigation operations.

From One Tree to a Global Movement

Founded on Earth Day in 2006, The ChariTree Foundation began with a simple act: two young children planting a Sitka mountain-ash on Bowen Island. It has since grown into an initiative connecting thousands of children to nature through tree planting and outdoor learning programs in Canada and internationally.

While the scale of climate change can seem daunting, the organization emphasizes the impact of individual actions. Its 100% volunteer-run grassroots approach focuses on environmental education, tree planting, and supporting outdoor classrooms to help children build leadership skills, resilience, creativity, and a connection to nature.

The Case for Climate Education

With billions of children already affected by climate-related events, according to UNICEF, advocates argue that investing in environmental education is no longer optional but a critical global strategy. The ChariTree Foundation’s initiative is a model of this approach, moving beyond awareness to equip young people with practical skills for adaptation and resilience.

Experts in the field confirm the transformative power of such programs. “There is something magical about planting a tree. It fosters hope and empowerment for a greener future, and kids love being part of it,” noted Jacob Rodenburg, an environmental education instructor at Trent University and executive director of Camp Kawartha.

Studies have shown that connecting children with nature not only builds their understanding of ecological issues but also improves mental and physical health, reduces stress, and enhances creativity and critical thinking. By engaging children in tangible activities like planting and caring for trees, these programs instill a sense of agency and a lifelong commitment to protecting the environment.

20 Years of Growing Hope

As Andrea Koehle Jones, a children’s author and advisor to the UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education, explains, the mission is deeply personal. “I want to give children opportunities to fall in love with nature because you protect what you love.” This principle underscores the foundation’s call for increased global investment in climate education, framing it as the most essential tool for securing a sustainable future for the next generation.

“Planting a tree is an act of hope for the future, and children need that hope now more than ever.” — Andrea Koehle Jones.

Operating as a 100% volunteer-run charity, The ChariTree Foundation ensures that all donations go directly to its programs, a model that has allowed it to maximize its impact with a low overhead of just 4.2% as of its 2024 financial report. This transparency and efficiency have been central to its growth from a local grassroots project to a United Nations Climate Observer organization supporting initiatives across Canada and internationally.

Over the years, the foundation has supported numerous projects, from building outdoor classrooms in Canadian schools to funding Green Schools in Ethiopia and previous work in Malawi, Zambia, Kenya and Nepal. Its core philosophy remains unchanged: empowering children with the tools and inspiration to become environmental leaders.

“There is something magical about planting a tree. It fosters hope and empowerment for a greener future, and kids love being part of it,” said Jacob Rodenburg, executive director of Camp Kawartha and an environmental education instructor at Trent University.

About The ChariTree Foundation
The ChariTree Foundation is a Canadian-registered charity and a United Nations Climate Observer organization based in Greater Vancouver, supporting local, national and international environmental education initiatives that connect children to nature through tree-planting and outdoor learning programs.

Media Contact:
Andrea Koehle Jones
info@charitree-foundation.org
www.charitree-foundation.org

High-resolution photos are available upon request. Watch video below.

About Andrea Koehle Jones

Andrea Koehle Jones is an award-winning environmental education advocate, children’s author, climate journalist, United Nations Climate Observer, and founder of Canada’s ChariTree Foundation, a charity connecting children to nature through tree planting and outdoor learning.

She has worked across print, digital, and television media, including CBC News and CBC Kids, and has contributed to major environmental initiatives, such as the protection of the Great Bear Rainforest. She also serves as a mentor with Nature Canada’s Women for Nature initiative and as an advisor to the UNICEF Leading Minds Fellowship on Climate Education.

I want to give children opportunities to fall in love with nature because you protect what you love,” said Koehle Jones, author of The Wish Trees: How Planting Trees Can Help Make the World a Better Place, and the forthcoming Don’t Let Ned Plant a Tree There! (May 2026)

With research and files by Jennifer Anderson.