The Church of God in Albany hosted a tree planting event for the global Forest of Hope campaign. The campaign raises awareness about deforestation, wildfires, and desertification. 28 volunteers planted 17 trees with support from NYS DOT, NYSTEC, and Home Depot. It also aligned with the United Nations’ World Environment Day and World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, supporting Troy’s sustainability goals and community involvement.
New York State Commends the Forest of Hope Campaign
Assemblymember Gabriella Romero opened the event by commending the volunteers for their commitment to the environment. She presented the Church of God with a New York State Assembly Citation honoring the Forest of Hope campaign and added her signature in support of the Church’s Climate Change Response initiative. She said, “When you have events like this that create a community where you know you can feel joy and feel hope and faith, I think that’s really powerful.”
The event highlighted how local action can contribute to global impact. Forests help absorb carbon, provide clean air, and offer critical habitats for countless species. Yet wildfires and deforestation destroy forests at alarming rates. According to the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, desertification is affecting 75% of the earth’s land. UNEP reports that around 423 million hectares—over 1 billion acres—of forests are lost to wildfires every year.
A Global Challenge with Local Roots
Around the world, more than 3.9 million Church of God members have participated as “Hope Supporters” to care for the planet. Similar tree planting events took place in Albany, Staten Island, Boston, and the Caribbean, showing how one small act can ripple outward. Each planted tree expressed the volunteers’ hope for a sustainable future. Working together, they believe communities can build a brighter tomorrow.
To view more volunteer events, please visit our activities page.
