The Story

100 TREESPROJECT 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 2026, they had already planted 180 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. The majority of the trees are in Gloucester. And they are committed to plant the next 150 trees in Gloucester.

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. And in fall of 2025 it became a 501(c )3.

The Mission

100 TREESPROJECT mission is to revitalize urban environments and improve public health in public places and public housing, by planting native fast growing trees in high impact urban 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. And with each cluster or row of trees, we transform an heat island into a cool, memorable place.

100TREESPROJECT plants batches of 10-30 trees that are 8-12 foot, fast growing (mostly) native species that will have an impact within 5 years.

100TREESPROJECT provides the trees, necessary fertilizer etc., while the local partner in most locations, where the trees are planted, is expected to commit to help plant and maintain the trees for the first five years.

100TREESPROJECT Our goal is to build a healthier, sustainable and more equitable urban environment through collective action.

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 target 100 trees every 5 years as a way to keep us motivated with a clear achievable milestone to celebrate.

We strongly believe in; “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Mahatma Gandhi