SAN DIEGO (July 9, 2024) – Plant With Purpose, a Christian organization and global leader in sustainable environmental development, is celebrating its 40 years of transforming farming areas around the world. For four decades, Plant With Purpose has been at the forefront of alleviating rural poverty, restoring the environment and positively impacting countless lives and communities across the globe.

Beginning in 1984, Plant With Purpose was founded by members of a San Diego-based church who realized that to help people living in poverty in the Dominican Republic, environmental conditions driving that poverty must be addressed. Now 40 years later, Plant With Purpose partners with rural farming communities in nine countries, benefiting more than a million people across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Since the beginning, Plant With Purpose has maintained its mission of alleviating rural poverty and reversing deforestation while refining and honing the skills and toolkits needed to do so.  

Earlier this year, the organization formally introduced its Community Designed Restoration (CDR) model, which culminates 40 years of rigorous research, testing and innovation. CDR accentuates leadership of local communities in designing and implementing restoration projects by leveraging and integrating local knowledge and priorities. This model ensures restoration efforts are tailored to meet the unique needs of each community, fostering ownership and long-term sustainability while cutting poverty in half.

By transforming barren land into fertile landscapes, Plant With Purpose has helped communities thrive by equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge needed to restore and sustain their land.

Transformative Impact Over 40 Years:

• Environmental Restoration: Plant With Purpose has facilitated the planting of nearly 70 million trees, rejuvenated ecosystems, prevented erosion and enhanced biodiversity. These efforts have restored land and mitigated the effects of climate change to provide a healthier planet for future generations.
• Economic Empowerment: Plant With Purpose has empowered rural farming families to build sustainable livelihoods by establishing community-based savings groups. These programs have significantly increased household incomes, improved food security and fostered economic resilience. Together, they have reduced poverty rates by 50% across entire watershed communities. 
• Spiritual Renewal: Rooted in a faith-based approach, Plant With Purpose has fostered spiritual growth and community cohesion. The organization has nurtured hope by integrating spiritual development with practical training, promoting peace, unity and resilience among farming communities while creating a foundation for lasting change.

As Plant With Purpose celebrates this milestone, the organization is looking ahead with a renewed commitment to positive impact. Its vision for the future includes:

• Expanding to new watersheds and countries.
• Further advancing climate change mitigation.
• Supporting economic resilience and strengthening global partnerships.