Evertreen, an organization that facilitates corporate-sponsored tree planting, claims to have planted over 2 million trees worldwide. Their projects span multiple countries, aiming to combat deforestation, restore ecosystems, and support local communities.

According to Evertreen, its initiatives contribute to carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and economic sustainability through job creation and ecosystem restoration.

While these objectives align with global reforestation priorities, transparency is fundamental to understanding the actual impact of such projects. Tree-planting initiatives vary widely in effectiveness, and meaningful accountability requires clear, verifiable data on:

• Where trees are planted and whether locations are clearly mapped
• What species are used and if they are ecologically appropriate
• Who is responsible for planting and long-term monitoring
• How survival rates are tracked and reported over time

Assessment of the Transparency of Evertreen's Planting Platform

To evaluate Evertreen’s transparency, we applied Ground Truth's #Accountabilitree criteria—a set of standards designed to assess how much public information is available on reforestation projects. This is developed by planters who have audited hundreds of projects firsthand.

While Evertreen lists multiple projects across different regions, the level of detail provided varies significantly. To get a clearer picture, we examined two specific case studies where public data was available:

• New Brunswick, Canada
• Madagascar

Each of these projects provides some basic location data, but key details—such as species selection, survival rates, and mapped planting areas—remain unclear or incomplete. The following review breaks down what information is available and where additional transparency could improve clarity and accountability.

It’s important to note that lack of public data does not necessarily mean the information doesn’t exist—but without clear, verifiable details, it is difficult to assess accountability. The #Accountabilitree framework highlights key details that we believe should be publicly accessible to ensure clarity in large-scale reforestation efforts.

Who is Planting the Trees?

Evertreen states that it facilitates tree planting, but publicly available information does not specify which on-the-ground organizations or individuals are carrying out the work.

What Species Are Being Planted?

No specific details are provided on the species being planted. Transparency in reforestation projects typically includes information on whether species are native and appropriate for the local ecosystem.

Where Are the Trees Being Planted?

A location pin for the New Brunswick project is available, but it is unclear whether this represents the specific planting site or a general project marker. Platforms like Restor.Eco, explorer.land, Plant-for-the-Planet, and Tree Nation do not display polygon-mapped areas for this initiative.

Evertreen provides specific location pins for its Madagascar projects (see below), but similar to New Brunswick, no mapped polygons confirm exact planting sites.

2025-03-09 Evertreen Madagascar Projects Map - Google My Maps

From https://www.evertreen.com/projects/reforestation-in-madagascar

Google My Maps

Is There a Monitoring Plan?

Evertreen’s website states that tree survival rates are tracked through satellite monitoring and forest inventory plots. Currently, no public reports on survival rates are available.

In the reforestation sector, best practices often include:

• Publicly available satellite images tracking tree growth over years
• Independent field surveys to verify survival rates
• Reports detailing replanting efforts if mortality rates are high

Summary of Available and Missing Information for New Brunswick, Madagascar and Elsewhere

Publicly Available Information:

✅ Funding sources (ex: ECS, PTI Cables, Domtech, Techspan).

✅ Cost per tree—C $14.99 in New Brunswick, C $5.99 in Madagascar

✅ There is a pin, though once again, we aren't sure if it's specific or generic. Madagascar has specific pins.

Additional Details That Could Improve Transparency:

❓  Species Information: Evertreen does not currently list specific tree species on its public platform.

❓  Planting Locations: polygon-mapped planting areas—often a key component of transparency in large-scale projects—are not publicly available.

❓  Monitoring & Survival Rates: No publicly available data for tracking tree survival over time.

❓  Planting Implementation: No specifics on the organizations or individuals conducting the planting.

❓  Funding Allocation: It is unclear why the C $14.99 per tree cost appears more than average for New Brunswick seedlings. Urban planting costs could be a factor, but further clarification would help. The Madagascar planting is C $5.99 per tree. This is higher than other reforestation projects in Madagascar though again, it it not clear why from the public-facing details. Costs can vary based on factors like nursery operations, local labor wages, and site conditions. However, Evertreen does not publicly provide a cost breakdown.

Conclusion

Evertreen presents a large-scale tree-planting commitment, with publicly available details confirming key aspects of its projects. However, additional transparency—such as species data, mapped planting sites, and long-term monitoring results—would offer a clearer picture of the initiative’s long-term impact.

This assessment is based on currently available information. If Evertreen or their sponsors provide further public data on the project’s specifics, it could offer greater insight into the initiative’s scope and outcomes.