This is what our year 2024 looked like!
The first days of the year provide a great opportunity to reflect on the past 12 months.
It feels good to relive so many joyful moments, and although we don’t showcase them, we often remember the challenges as well! 🙂
Building on the results of 2024, we have no choice but to gear up for the year 2025!
However, before that, come and once again explore with us the most memorable moments of the four seasons!
JANUARY
We sought 1000 good people who would act as invisible patrons, committing to contribute at least 1000 HUF each month to tree planting this year, thus helping to create a greener, more livable country.
To our great joy, many joined the call, forming a small invisible team that stands by us month after month! We conduct this campaign once a year, in January, so if you would like to join, we welcome you in January!
In 2024, further developing the K&H Refreshing Groves program, we launched the K&H Animal-Friendly Groves initiative, for which we awaited applications from educational institutions until January 25!
The aim of the program was to increase green space with diverse plants and animal habitats, support biodiversity in the yards of public educational institutions, and shape children’s environmental awareness.
FEBRUARY
In mid-February, we sorted and prepared 75,000 saplings to ensure they reach the places where they will grow. Our regional representatives quickly took the saplings away, eagerly awaiting the spring tree planting season.
The winter months are mostly about preparation – adding that the increasingly mild winters prompt the 10 Million Trees community to rethink its planting strategy, and we continuously consult with our expert team consisting of forest ecologists, gardeners, and forestry experts.
On February 25, we planted exactly 100 fruit trees in the Dharma Garden next to Töreki for the rescued animals living there, who have since been enjoying the growing shade and fruits of the trees.
Later that month, an article featuring our founder Iván András Bojár was published on the Forbes Magazine website, He decided to plant 10 million trees in Hungary. Here’s how it stands now and what he learned along the way, in case you missed it, you can read it now at the link above:
Tree planting location in February: Siófok-Töreki.
In the picture: planting 100 apple trees at the Dharma shelter
MARCH
In 2023, we had a very successful 1% campaign, “From 1% to 10 million trees!” was our message, and from the contributions of 290 people, 2,747,430 HUF arrived in the account of the 10 Million Trees Foundation.
Few know that the amount received in 2023 could only be used in 2024! And we intended to use this funding for tree planting.
Thus, on March 2, we planted our first 1% forest in Budapest, in Mátyásföld, establishing a tradition.
At the same time, we also planted in Monorierdő, making the first weekend of March quite impactful, a total of 3,650 trees were successfully planted at the two locations.
A week later, on the 9th, we planted an additional 2,250 saplings in sparkling sunshine during a truly uplifting tree planting event.
On the 13th, in Sóskút, at the Andreetti Károly Primary School and Art School, the K&H Animal-Friendly Groves program was launched, under which we planted trees, shrubs, and herbs in the institutions’ yards.
During the holiday weekend on the 15th, a dedicated group of our volunteers visited Transylvania, where in a beautiful environment near Székelyderzs, we planted 2,250 trees over an eventful weekend.
On the 23rd, we planted simultaneously at four locations:
Ferencváros, Hosszúhetény, Mátyásföld, and Monorierdő were all ready for eager planting hands seeking active recreation.
In cooperation with Főkert, we planted an Edible Garden in Tabán. Only domestic varieties: Jonathan apple, summer Kálmán pear, Besztercei plum, gooseberry, and Fertődi blackcurrant – all resistant varieties against diseases and pathogens were planted, so according to the plans, there will be no need for spraying.
Afforestation in Velence – 5,000 trees planted
We know that we cannot do it alone; we must unite! That’s why we are always happy when, alongside a large number of civil volunteers, companies also take part in tree planting.
At such times, we almost always take a significant step forward. This was the case again:
as part of a corporate planting initiative, we established a forest consisting of 5,000 saplings in the section between Evezős Út and the highway!
Tree planting locations in March:
Budapest-Ferencváros, Budapest-Mátyásföld, Budapest-Tabán, Budapest-Újpest, Hosszúhetény, Sóskút, Székelyderzs, Velence.
In the picture: Tree planting team in Székelyderzs
APRIL
We returned to Monorierdő for the fourth time, marking the spring closure of the afforestation season. Beyond the hardcore 10 million trees, we were joined by the staff of Gránit Bank, as well as Pumped Gabo!
On April 22, we celebrated Earth Day at home for the 34th time. On this occasion, we planted a Miyawaki urban mini-forest as part of the One Tree Planted project aimed at eliminating heat islands, traditionally in cooperation with Főkert.
On Earth Day, we have already planted together for the third time with the Vígszínház company, and this year, alongside the artists, the theater staff also participated in the planting of 128 trees!
What was the atmosphere like? Check out the video!
On Earth Day, we also announced the National Tree Planting Day, with the first event scheduled for March 1, 2025!
On this day, we invite the entire country to join us. The National Tree Planting Day could be Hungary’s local response to global problems. Our goal is for Hungary to become the greenest country in Europe.
We welcome all organizations, whether they are church communities, kindergartens, sports clubs, companies, choirs, or even yoga groups.
Meanwhile, the installation of K&H animal-friendly groves has been ongoing, as we visited educational institutions across the country.
On April 27, our 16th Miyawaki urban mini-forest was born in Újbuda, Budapest’s 11th district.
In total, we planted 152 trees and shrubs. Essentially, a mini-arboretum was created from the following species:
pedunculate oak, sessile oak, turkey oak, Tatar maple, field maple, mountain maple, field elm, black elm, wild plum, wild pear, wild apple, sour cherry, high ash, hornbeam, hawthorn, small-leaved lime
Shrubs: striped goat’s beard, hawthorn, blackthorn, buckthorn, sloe, fleshy dogwood.
Tree planting locations in April:
Ajka-Padragkút, Bakonybánk, Bakonyszombathely, Bátaszék, Budapest-Ferencváros, Budapest-Mátyásföld, Budapest-Újpest, Budapest-Újbuda, Hegykő, Hosszúhetény, Kiskőrös, Kistelek, Mezőberény, Mosonmagyaróvár, Monorierdő, Tápiószecső, Rákóczifalva, Sóskút, Szederkény, Szigetszentmiklós.
In the picture: Animal-friendly grove in the yard of an elementary school
MAY
We not only plant but also nurture, which is why on the 5th, we returned to Tabán to tackle the runaway horse sorrels and other weeds that sprang up due to the summery spring, with our partner FŐKERT assisting us once again.
On May 18, we planted the 17th Miyawaki mini-forest in the courtyard of the ELTE Kőrösi Csoma Sándor dormitory.
NIOK Civil Award 2024, we received the 3rd most votes!
This year, 170 excellent civil projects were launched under the NIOK initiative, of which the jury selected 27 for the finals. The chosen twenty-seven civil organizations participated in the open public vote.
At the two-round event, the 10 Million Trees Foundation received the 3rd most votes!
Being among the most popular national civil initiatives – it feels fantastic! This abundance of positive feedback means a lot to us, as we draw strength from it on gloomier days!
Results:
1. Hungarian Food Bank Association (and Tesco-Global Stores Ltd.)
2. Hungarian Nature Conservation Society
3. 10 Million Trees Foundation
4. Conscious Buyers Association
5. From Street to Home Association
On May 21, we concluded our 2024 1% campaign. The results are expected to be announced in the first half of September, and we eagerly await the numbers! We hope to continue planting 1% forests in 2025.
Tree planting locations in May: Andornaktálya, Budapest, Debrecen, Gyál, Kecskemét, Karancslapujtő, Lengyeltóti, Nyíregyháza, Siófok, Mándok, Miskolc, Vép
Due to the heat, we initiated our watering program as early as May, under which we watered 846 trees with 50-70 liters of water weekly, as well as 11 Miyawakis and the seedling garden at the site, which covers an area of 750 m2, totaling: 2500 trees and 800 shrubs.
Watering locations in May: Budapest, Dunakeszi, Budakalász, Budaörs, Maglód
In the picture: Planting a Miyawaki mini-forest
JUNE
We have concluded the planting season, took a break with the installation of the K & H animal-friendly groves, and held a picnic on June 7, to which we invited all past and future supporters, volunteers, and the 10 Million Trees community. At the informal, relaxed, potluck, and cooking-over-a-fire picnic, we also held a volunteer job fair, and as almost always, there were new, enthusiastic applicants this time as well.
On June 10, in preparation for our 5th birthday, we launched our God Plant Many Trees! – community campaign, where we sought ambassadors who committed to raising part of the funds needed for the mini-forest installation through their social media!
The campaign that laid the foundations for the 18th Miyawaki forest, consisting of 120 trees and 40 shrubs, was very successful, with over 50 ambassadors joining, and with their help, we raised the necessary amount for our July birthday! We will plant the Miyawaki mini-forest in October in the courtyard of ELTE College.
Tree planting locations in June: Zalaegerszeg
Watering locations in June: Budapest, Dunakesti, Budakalász, Budörs, Maglód
In the picture: Children planting animal-friendly groves
JULY
On Saturday, July 6, we celebrated the 5th birthday of 10 Million Trees in the 10 Million Trees Grove located at the foot of St. George’s Hill in Kisapáti.
We spent the afternoon with fantastic, high-quality, simultaneously invigorating yet inspiring discussions, thoroughly exploring the topic of nature conservation.
We contemplated humanity’s possibilities and limitations, including the roles of communities, civil society, 10 Million Trees, and individuals. The how and the what next.
We shared thoughts with Attila Dobrovitz, a forester, András Németh, a nature conservationist, Ferenc Jordán, a biologist from Università di Parma, Balázs Bozzay, an environmental management engineer, Gábor Kardos, a philosopher, Judit Szegő representing the Air Working Group, Gábor Vágó from Booster, Ágnes Paul from Cleanwasher, Zoltán Békés from X-forest, Réka Aszalós, a forest ecologist, Laura Balázs, a forest world traveler, Barbara Sallee, a human ecologist, and Márk Gauder from Palmtri in Indonesia.
Márk is also the representative of 10 Million Trees – Indonesia, and his presence provided an opportunity for us to agree with our local university partners on the planting of 1,000,000 trees in Indonesia.
As an unexpected gift, the Dharma shelter also checked in! The Dharma shelter for sick and elderly horses is perhaps the only one in the country. To improve the lives of these unfortunate animals, we planted an apple orchard consisting of 100 trees there.
Just this week, we learned that the first two bites have already been produced for the little horses!
On July 30, we announced the Watering Olympics, encouraging everyone to water a tree or two in their area, thus helping their survival.
Fortunately, many of you joined from various parts of the country! One of the most organized and active groups operates in Budapest’s greenest district, Ferencváros, and the local television even conducted a short interview with them.
Pictures from the 5th birthday of 10 Million Trees
AUGUST
With the help of deposits, the organized return of plastic bottles, glass containers, and aluminum beverage cans has begun, and the refunded money can also be donated to a civil organization, allowing you to allocate the deposit fee for tree planting and watering if you direct it to the 10 Million Trees Foundation!
This way, you can help in two ways:
1. You reduce packaging materials that are not utilized as waste and
2. You immediately contribute to watering and tree planting, as the refunded deposit will land in the Foundation’s account the very next day.
The first donations have already arrived; if you can, please send us your spare change.
Save the unique QR code below and use it at the machines.
We will continue to Plant and Nurture!
We water, irrigate, and of course, plant trees.
SEPTEMBER
We are looking for new volunteers to join the already experienced members of the 10 Million Trees team. We are seeking volunteers for four important areas: general assistant, fundraiser, truck driver, volunteer coordinator.
We have completed the installation of K&H PET FRIENDLY GROVES
On September 5, in Dunakeszi, at Bárdos Lajos Primary School, we reached the last, 30th station of the K&H pet-friendly groves.
As before, the children eagerly engaged in the creation of the grove, and we joyfully concluded the planting part of this series in the company of representatives from the school and the bank.
During the plantings, we created groves in the following settlements across the country:
Ajka-Padragkút, Andornaktálya, Bakonybánk, Bakonyszombathely, Bátaszék, Budapest, Debrecen, Dunakeszi, Dusnok, Gyál, Hegykő, Karancslapujtő, Kecskemét, Kiskőrös, Kistelek, Lengyeltóti, Mándok, Mezőberény, Miskolc, Mosonmagyaróvár, Nyíregyháza, Rákóczifalva, Siófok, Sóskút, Szár, Szederkény, Szigetszentmiklós, Tápiószecső, Vép, Zalaegerszeg.
1% – a larger amount than ever before
It was a huge and very important feedback for us that the 10 Million Trees Foundation received 4,091,000 HUF from the 1% tax contribution for 2024.
We would like to sincerely thank all 380 individuals who designated us as beneficiaries! This number has significantly increased from last year’s 290.
You can track the use of the 1% on this page!
We launched the autumn planting season in Csepel, in the 21st district of Budapest, near the Csete Balázs promenade in the Ady housing estate.
The planting of 50 young park trees was a true collaboration between the local government, civil society, public figures, and contributing companies! A day when the volunteers of 10 Million Trees worked for tree planting, along with the large team of our long-time partner, Henkel Hungary, who has been supporting the project financially for many years.
Employees from Tesco Hungary and students from the Budapest Business School’s Environmental Management program joined in large numbers. The event was graced by prominent figures from the arts: our old friend and community ambassador, Lia Pokorny, as well as Szonja Oroszlán and Nóra Trokán.
We planted 20 young trees in Újbuda
On September 20, we planted 20 trees in the green area between the residential buildings at Etele út 26-30, in areas approved by the Újbuda Municipality.
For the planting, we once again used community compost thanks to the Feneketlen Lake Compost Friends, so we thank all users of community compost points for contributing to the greening of the city by properly disposing of their kitchen and green waste.
OCTOBER
A call for the Hexagonal Kerekerdő in Kecskemét! A community collection has been launched so that the Kecskemét group of the 10 Million Trees initiative, the Greening Civil Society, can plant a Miyawaki mini-forest this autumn in one of the hottest areas of Kecskemét. The amount was collected incredibly quickly, by the second half of October, so only the practical implementation remained.
We are joining the litter pick organized by the Gellérthegy Residents’ Advocacy Association, and while we are there, we will also distribute saplings.
We Plant and Nurture! We were curious about how our plantings in Monorierdő in December 2023 and spring 2024 have fared against the prolonged, extremely hot heatwave of summer.
In Monorierdő, Dr. Réka Aszalós, a forest ecologist, examined the living saplings; we will have to wait until spring to determine the true picture, but it can already be said that there were quite a few saplings that managed to withstand even this extra hot summer.
Miyawaki mini-forest in District XIII as well!
In the heart of District XIII, in the middle of Angyalföld, the student government of Ady Endre High School embarked on a significant project:
At the end of summer and the beginning of autumn, they asked themselves what they could do to make the heat more bearable, reduce natural disasters, and create a more livable environment. They decided to plant a Miyawaki mini-forest in the schoolyard and to raise the necessary funds through community financing.
Miyawaki care in Ferencváros
On the 11th, Friday, at the IX district Miyawaki mini-forest nestled at the foot of gray house walls.
The urban oasis, planted two years ago in 2022 with the help of GreenGo, is visibly thriving, and thanks to our regular watering, it was able to grow even during this summer, which was complicated by heatwaves!
Of course, a few plants needed to be replaced, but anyone with a garden knows that this process is a natural part of maintaining a garden or an urban mini-forest.
Planting the birthday Miyawaki mini-forest for 10 Million Trees
350 people contributed to the Miyawaki mini-forest requested for the 5th birthday of 10 Million Trees, which we planted on October 19 in the courtyard of ELTE’s Nagytétényi Road dormitory.
We were on a roll, so that day another Miyawaki mini-forest could be born in the ELTE courtyard.
It is not an exaggeration to say: amidst massive interest and splendid autumn weather, we planted our 18th and 19th Miyawaki mini-forests, in two circular, 35 sqm prepared beds, we planted about 105 trees each, 17 different native species, as well as 35 shrubs of six different types.
We were happy for every small step: on October 28, in Budapest’s I district, the Tigris Street kindergarten received three new fruit trees! 🌳 🍎🌳🐦⬛🌳
NOVEMBER
On November 3, together with ELTE students, we beautified the courtyard of the Vezér Street dormitory with some greenery in pleasant weather. The students – we can now perhaps say, as is their custom – will also help with maintenance in the future! Thank you!
November 7. – National Tree Planting Day, press conference
Ethologist Vilmos Csányi, Péter Geszti, Gergely Litkai, and the initiator, founder of 10 Million Trees, Iván András Bojár, along with forest ecologist Réka Aszalós and the organization’s chief coordinator, Franciska Hervai, highlighted the importance of tree planting and forests at the press conference for the newly established National Tree Planting Day.
November 8 – The 20th Miyawaki Mini Forest is Born
On a brilliant sunny morning, with the team and contribution of Raiffeisen Bank, and at a location provided by Főkert in Óbuda, we planted our 20th Miyawaki mini forest!
On 40 square meters, approximately 120 trees and 40 shrubs were planted, engaging nearly 60 people in the planting event!
November 9 – Open Day for Recruitment in Budapest
What area could you start in as early as tomorrow? Go through the list, and you might find something that suits you:
procurement, logistics, financial assistant, event organizer, planting coordinator, photographer, mood manager, social media staff and developer, communication project manager, fundraising staff, administrative assistant, community coordinator, driver.
And yes! We are continuously welcoming applications from new volunteers. If you are considering it right now as you read these lines, don’t hesitate, reach out to us through our contact details!
November 10 – The Students Did It: The 21st Miyawaki Mini Forest is Born!
Where there is a strong intention, the set goal will eventually be realized. We have reported several times on the Miyawaki mini forest project of the students from Ady Endre High School in the XIII district.
The school’s students decided during the summer heatwave that they would make their yard greener, and they would raise the necessary funds through community donations!
They made good progress, and seeing their determination, Gránit Bank also lent a helping hand: it covered the remaining amount needed!
Thus, all obstacles were removed, and on November 10, 2024, they were able to plant the Miyawaki mini forest!
In just 60 days, they transformed the schoolyard into a new mini forest from scratch! Congratulations!
November 16 – 37 New Trees in Ferencváros!
We gathered at three points in the IX district to make the area even greener with new trees. Many joined us, and on this somewhat gloomy November day, we successfully planted 37 trees.
November 21 – Zugló’s First Miyawaki Mini Forest is Born
We planted the mini forest with the staff of Green Go, supplemented by law students from ELTE, who could earn practical hours for completing their social responsibility course.
On this day, Green Go celebrated its eighth birthday, and together, this was our fifth Miyawaki mini forest planting.
For years, Green Go has been running the “Roll for Trees!” Support Program, where they collect funds for new plantings together with their users. During this time, they have already provided more than 7,300 trees to Budapest!
November 23 – Planting of the Pentagonal Forest in Kecskemét
After the programs in Budapest over the past few weeks, we planted in rural locations! Kecskemét and Tápióbicske followed. In Kecskemét, a true collaboration emerged, as alongside civilians and companies, another domestic civil organization, the Hungarian Jane Goodall Institute, also joined the planting effort.
November 24. – Tápióbicske
This village will be known from this day forward for having, thanks to the ambition of Mayor Róbert Herczegh, fulfilled the principle of 1 person – 1 tree as the third location after Zabar and Bezeréd, planting 1510 trees and 550 shrubs, thus ensuring that every resident of its 3600 population has a tree planted in their name.
Previously, they had planted along the riverbank with seedlings received from us, with over 2000 saplings, and thanks to the well-chosen location at that time, all the trees have taken root successfully.
November 27-28. – Miyawaki mini-forest planting in Budapest & Erdőkertese
We had never done this before; on a single day, we planted two Miyawaki mini-forests simultaneously. On the 27th and the 28th, we planted one in Erdőkertese and another in Budapest, on Csalogány Street in the II district.
DECEMBER
You could see that we planted a lot again this year, and as usual, we were quite exhausted by the end. As a break, on November 30, we made a pilgrimage to Cigánd to restore a wetland by the Tisza.
It may seem that there is some contradiction in this, but in reality, there is not. We could rather call it a comedy of opposites.
It was hard work and at the same time a liberating feeling: dazzling sunshine and milky white fog, cold beer benches and a multi-course warming Sunday lunch, the winding Tisza and straight furrows, hot tea and cold pálinka, towering tasks and team-building relaxation, few people and lots of laughter.
On December 4 in Cigánd, we planted 2000 trees, but thank God there is still space and seedlings left. We will definitely return to Cigánd!
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Curious about our 2023 as well? You can read about it here!
