Alachua County launches Routes to Roots campaign to offset carbon footprint through tree planting
Press release from Alachua County
ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Visit Gainesville, Alachua County, in collaboration with the Alachua County Environmental Protection Department (EPD) and Parks and Open Space, has launched the “Routes to Roots” campaign, a sustainability initiative to offset travel’s carbon footprint by planting trees. The campaign invites visitors, residents, and businesses to contribute to tree-planting efforts, enhancing the local environment while supporting carbon sequestration.
The Routes to Roots campaign kicks off in conjunction with the upcoming World Masters Athletics Indoor Championships. Its goal is to raise funds to plant 20 trees at the forthcoming arboretum at West End. Donations of all sizes are welcomed, with a donation of $75 covering the cost of planting and maintaining a tree. Beyond the initial launch, the initiative will become a permanent feature on the Visit Gainesville Alachua County website, encouraging year-round contributions to support reforestation and environmental sustainability.
Learn more about donating to the Routes to Roots campaign.
“As a destination, Alachua County is known for its natural beauty and outdoor experiences, and it’s important to take steps to preserve and enhance our green spaces for future generations,” said Alachua County Tourism and Economic Development Director Jessica Hurov. “The Routes to Roots campaign creates an opportunity for visitors and locals alike to give back to our environment while making a lasting impact.”
The initiative aligns with Alachua County’s broader sustainability goals, emphasizing environmental stewardship and community engagement. Trees planted through the program will contribute to improved air quality, stormwater management, and habitat restoration, strengthening the region’s ecological resilience.
“Tree planting is one of the most effective ways to offset carbon emissions while benefiting our community’s ecosystem,” said Alachua County Environmental Protection Department Director Stephen Hofstetter. “The Routes to Roots campaign provides a meaningful way for people to participate in conservation efforts that will have long-term environmental benefits.”
How many trees are GRU and Gainesville going to plant, to offset the wood burner? It is the most polluting energy source on the planet. When running it consumes more than 2,000 TONS of hardwood, A DAY! From trees that 30-40 years to mature. That is not renewal; it is stripping bare many forests.
Roger: you get bingo.
Hanrahan bankrupted GRU
Trying to comply with Kyoto protocol to lower our carbon footprint with a renewable resource…how’d that work out?
Go woke, go broke.
Makes me sick seeing the old live oaks being destroyed for development. Think Archer Rd. Starbucks and Roadhouse. Now ripped out more across Archer Rd. for another medical facility. Look at the mess on Williston Rd. across from the now defunct GGCC. Three golf courses closed, Ironwood only survives by tax payer funding yet, plans are for a tax payer funded golf course on Parker Rd. (UF tax exempt). Alachua County voters must enjoy the decisions of their elected officials. Willy-nilly building birdhouse apartments and more retail crap with no transportation improvements. So everyone get themselves a little tree to plant while permitting developers to rape and pillage the environment.
Ironically, I’ve recently seen countless acres of dead trees from Hurricane Milton between here and the panhandle. Convenient to transport routes, and they’d probably appreciate someone hauling them away.
Anon : Bio plant is broken and off for last 6 mos.
For an additional $100 they will skip the tree and plant a solar panel.
Anything with carbon footprint is UN agenda BS. The tentacles of the octopus infiltrating our local government like a virus. All tied to taking your liberty & freedom away for fake manmade climate change…part of that “great reset”… “you will own nothing and be happy”.
One world government, global totalitarianism.
Say no to vaccine passport mark of the beast.
Anything with the word “sustainable” is new world order , one world government, United Nations jargon …
We should plant trees for the shade and wildlife habitat anyway. No need to virtue signal on “climate” since increased CO2 has already started converting global desert edges into greenscapes. Nature fixes itself.
Please call State DOGE now.
Save the trees….not the woke green BS.
How about picking up the litter and fining litterbugs is a better campaign…