Project Director Matt Pratt launched the nonprofit in 2020 with co-founder Irene Chen. The duo got a 501(c)3 designation in 2021, Pratt said.
Pratt said he went door-to-door in the Fourth Ward to let residents know about the initiative and ultimately got commitments to plant about 30 15-gallon trees, largely from residents, but also from several area churches and the Rutherford B.H. Yates Museum.
Pratt said he wanted to brings trees to the Fourth Ward based on Houston's heat map, which shows a lack of tree cover in the area and higher-than-usual temperatures.
"Tree canopy is biggest thing that affects a lot of that," he said. "Many organizations do [tree plantings] in parks, but not many will go to neighborhoods and talk to people directly."
A tree-planting event will take place Oct. 26 in the Fourth Ward, during which volunteers will help Tree Peace plant the 30 trees. Trees will be supplied by Moon Valley Nursery and include shumard oak, maple and cedar elm, Pratt said. The Yates Museum specifically asked for red oak and bald cypress, he said.
Moving forward, Pratt said the main priority is getting the word out about the nonprofit. If the Fourth Ward event gains traction, he said he would look to do similar events in other communities that need them or even come back to the Fourth Ward for a second round. Pratt said he also has been in touch with officials in the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, who showed support for the mission.
"We're hopeful it really takes off," he said.
