Tree-planting project sprouts climate, social awareness

Seven Sage Ridge students want to feed families — one tree at a time.

The Last Straw Club plans to participate in the 20,000 Trees Initiative, an environmental and social project spearheaded by Sage Ridge alumnus John Dewald ('13). The tree-planting project is one of the many things his nonprofit, Full Belly Brasil, promotes to donate food and clean drinking water to families in the South American country. The COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of Brazilians facing food insecurity, John said.

"For every tree they plant, our donors will donate an extra pound of food to a family in need," John said. He added that donors would match up to 20,000 pounds of food.

Lilly Johnson ('21), The Last Straw Club president, said she and her friends started the group during her sophomore year to combat climate change. The seven-member club gets its name from the effort to reduce single-use plastic items, such as straws, from entering the ocean.

Now a senior set to graduate in June, Lilly is ready to leave a lasting legacy in the community and abroad.

"At first, we meant to help in reducing single-use plastics and protecting our oceans," Lilly said. "The 20,000 Tree Project has moved our focus from the oceans, and we are willing to partake in any environmentally positive initiative."

Currently on a business trip in Utila, Honduras, John said he was excited to get Sage Ridge students involved in beautifying Reno, Nevada, while raising awareness about global issues.

Full Belly Brasil partners with food distributors to donate soon-to-expire ingredients that can no longer be sold. It provided more than 4,100 pounds of food to families in need in 2020. Of that number, 1,493 pounds would have been discarded.

"The project simultaneously combats climate change and world hunger," Lilly said. "We are hoping to plant as many trees as possible among our community to make a difference for these families and help make Sage Ridge a little greener."

John encouraged those interested in helping to follow Full Belly Brasil on Instagram. Once the account reaches 10,000 followers, he said the nonprofit can begin campaigns to spread its mission across the social media platform.

Related: Watch John’s presentation about Full Belly Brasil during a Sage Ridge community meeting in February.