The Story
100 TREES PROJECT germinated in Jan 2020, just months before the pandemic, when the founders James Paradis and Prataap Patrose got married. Instead of a party for 100 people, they decided to plant 100 trees in five years at public housing, public parks and other high impact urban places.
By June 2025, they had already planted 150 Red Maples, Aspens, Tulip Poplars, and Pin Oaks at public housing public parks in Boston and Cambridge, Rockport and Gloucester. In 5 years they have surpassed the goal they had set of 100 trees in 5 years.
Along the way, they formed partnerships with locals residents, DPWs, private developers, public housing, local and national nurseries and growers of trees, tenants’ associations, foundation and charitable organizations. With each gift of twenty trees they planted, they realized the need and interest was much larger than they had originally envisioned, and 100 TREES PROJECT.Org was founded.The mission of 100 TREES PROJECT is to plant trees to mitigate urban heat island in high impact urban locations such as, public housing and public parks to improve the lives of people, build community, and directly impact the urban quality of life and environment. 100 trees at a time. We pick fast growing native species for impact within 5 years.
Working with local partners, 100 TREES PROJECT plants batches of 10 or 20 trees in each location. 8-12 feet in height, the trees are fast growing and are species native to New England. 100 TREES PROJECT will provide the trees, necessary fertilizer etc., while the local partner, where the trees are planted, will be expected to commit to help plant and maintain the trees for the first five years.
The Mission
The mission of 100TreesProject is to revitalize urban environments and improve public health in the Greater Boston area, by planting native fast growing trees in high impact locations. We particularly target urban heat islands, such as public housing and community parks, where the cooling effects and other climate mitigating impacts of a healthy tree canopy are needed the most.
Our goal is to build a healthier, sustainable and more equitable urban environment through collective action. We partner with local resident, nurseries, housing authorities, public works departments, and other city departments - including 10-12 foot native trees and help with planting and maintenance-to foster long term stewardship of our urban environment.
We believe that planting trees is one way to improve the quality of life for the local residents but also a way to build community by involving the residents to locate, plant and maintain the trees with us. The planting of trees is also a vital tool for mitigating climate change, expanding the urban tree canopy. and improving the mental and physical well-being of the residents. By planting trees in batches of 10-30 trees at a time, we work to empower residents one location, one neighborhood, one community at a time to impact change in their immediate environment.
We strongly believe in; “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi