Forests have a special power. They calm us, inspire us, and remind us of how closely we are connected to nature. That is exactly why NIKIN has been working NIKIN years with partners such as One Tree Planted is committed to restoring forests around the world. But behind every organization are people with stories—and one of them belongs to Harry “Hank” Lynch, the CEO of One Tree Planted.
By the way, you can watch the entire conversation here as a video.
His connection to trees began long before he took the helm of the organization. Having grown up on a farm, Hank spent a lot of time in a large orchard. Among fruittrees and fresh soil, a deep connection to nature developed early on. When it came time to choose a college major, his father gave him a piece of advice that has stayed with him to this day: “Do something you love—then you’ll always find a way to make a living from it.”
Hank took those words to heart. He studied horticulture and arboriculture and worked for many years as a certified arborist. In this profession, he literally spent his days in the treetops. Later, he completed training in nonprofit management and began leading organizations dedicated to environmental and conservation issues worldwide.
As One One When was looking for a new CEO, this opportunity felt like a circle closing for him. His career had begun among trees and was now leading him to an organization whose mission is to restore forests around the world.
Forests as places of tranquility
For Hank, forests are much more than just ecosystems. They are a feeling. “For me, a forest is like coming home,” he says. “Or like visiting a one of hugecathedral-like cathedralsn – something awe-inspiring that also brings a sense of calm.”
Some of the forests he has visited over the course of his life have left a particularly lasting impression on him. They are places he returns to time and again, simply to experience that feeling. This emotional connection to nature also shapes the work of One Tree Planted.
How new forests are formed
Deciding where to plant trees is more complex than many people realize. One Tree Planted works today with over 400 planting partners worldwide . But before a project gets underway, numerous factors are taken into account.
First, we assess where the need is greatest and what impact a project might have—on soil, water resources, biodiversity, and local wildlife. Cooperation with local people is particularly important in this regard. “If the local community doesn’t support a project, it won’t be sustainable,” explains Hank. That is why One Tree Planted closely with local partners and community leaders to create educational programs focused on reforestation and nature conservation.
According to Hank , the support and involvement of the local population are essential. If they are not committed , it is likely that in times of economic hardship they will consume part of the forest .. Often, it is precisely precisely these communities that contribute contribute .. “Local people have an incredible amount of knowledge about their landscape,” says Hank. “Learning from them is one of the most exciting parts of our work.”
Why reforestation is more than just planting trees
A common misconception is that reforestation alone can solve the climate crisis. Hank takes a more nuanced view. “Planting trees is important, but it’s only part of the solution,” he explains. “We as humans also need to change our behavior and live more sustainably.”
Forests can sequester carbon, create habitats, and stabilize ecosystems. But long-term change requires more than just individual projects. It calls for a broader shift in how we think about our environment.
The Role of Businesses
This is where businesses come in. Partnerships with organizations such as One Tree Planted can make a big difference, especially when they go beyond individual projects. For Hank, the key is collaboration across the entire value chain. Companies can involve their suppliers and partners, thereby helping to scale up reforestation projects. “What we really want isn’t just to plant more trees,”says Hank, “butmore forests and landscapes restore.”
A Look into the Future
When Hank thinks about the next five to ten years, he is optimistic. One Tree Planted has succeeded in making the topic of reforestation understandable to many people and in raising global awareness of it. Innovations could also help make reforestation even more effective. Technologies, new scientific findings, and data-driven approaches are constantly opening up new possibilities.
Hank draws particular hope from the next generation: “When I see how young people view the world and the ideas they come up with, it makes me incredibly optimistic.”
A piece of advice for the next generation
Finally, Hank has some simple but powerful advice for young people who want to make a difference: “Don’t take advice from your fears, bstay kind, and be a leader.” For him, leadership doesn’t mean telling others where to go. Rather, a leader is someone who finds new paths. “A leader is a pathfinder,” says Hank. “Someone who discovers a path—and helps others follow it.”
And that is exactly the kind of people we need to secure the future of our forests: Pathfinders.
