Today we’d like to introduce you to Barry Ward.
Barry, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I arrived at Trees For Houston about ten years ago, I found an excellent organization whose sweet spot was beautiful, small-scale street tree plantings in the heart of Houston. I noticed there was a burgeoning need for trees all over the area, and as a result, we began establishing our own growing program to provide a steady stream of native varieties while greatly reducing our overall expenses by approximately 40%. As I come into my tenth year at Trees For Houston, I am pleased to see how many projects we have been a part of that have made a positive impact in the city.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Perhaps the most challenging part of our growth has been educating other non-profits, as well as architects and contractors, that by involving Trees For Houston early in the design phase of a construction project thousands of dollars can be saved for their respective missions by having us provide the required trees. From parks to new streets to major residential developments, we have collectively been able to plant more trees for public benefit at greatly reduced cost. Since being founded in 1983, over half a million trees have been planted by Trees For Houston- that’s on average 20,000 per year!
Trees For Houston – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Trees For Houston is a nationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to plant protect and promote trees. Although focused in the Greater Houston area, Trees For Houston is an effective regional entity, improving the quality of life with plantings in 19 counties surrounding our urban core. During the planting season, we work six, often seven, days a week making Houston a greener, attractive place.
Contact Info:
- Address: 104 North Greenwood
Houston, Texas - Website: http://www.treesforhouston.org/
- Phone: 713-840-8733
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treesforhouston/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreesForHouston
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/treesforhouston
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