“I think that I shall never see / A poem lovely as a tree,” wrote poet Joyce Kilmer, and for good reason. Trees quietly transform our daily lives: they clean the air we breathe, filter the water we drink, cool our neighborhoods, and even boost local economies. Their roots hold soil in place, their canopies provide shade and shelter, and communities surrounded by trees experience lower stress and better health.

This season, you can join scientists and fellow tree-lovers alike to uncover the hidden lives of trees and the roles they play in our environment, our cities, and our climate. Whether you’re measuring tree height for NASA, mapping urban trees to track their benefits, or spotting resilient species that can withstand disease, there’s a project for everyone, no prior experience required, and you can join from anywhere.

Ready to branch out? Try one (or more!) of the projects featured below, and discover how your observations can help scientists understand and protect our planet’s forests.

Cheers!

The SciStarter Team

Help NASA study how much carbon forests store! Use the GLOBE Observer app to measure tree height near you and add valuable data that complements satellite missions like ICESat-2. Fun for all ages, with educator resources available.

Location: Global

Live in a city? Try the iSeaTree app from the United States Forest Service to identify and record trees around you. Use the built-in TreeBot assistant, earn badges, and see how your data helps scientists track the health and benefits of urban forests.

Location: United States & Canada

Photo credit: Carol Lea Spence

Help scientists find and study resilient trees! Use the TreeSnap app to tag species like ash, chestnut, and hemlock so researchers can locate healthy trees resistant to pests and diseases.

Location: United States

Join Treezilla, the “Monster Map of Trees,” to help chart and measure trees across the United Kingdom and Ireland. Each tree you record adds to a growing public map that helps scientists and communities understand where trees thrive, how they store carbon, and how they make cities cooler and cleaner.

Location: United Kingdom & Ireland

Join the Girl Scouts Tree Promise campaign by monitoring and planting trees in your area. Anyone can participate, but Girl Scouts can earn a special badge for taking action!

Location: Global