Whatcom Million Trees Project
Whatcom Million Trees Project is a Bellingham, Washington 501c3 nonprofit that plants and protects trees in Whatcom County through volunteer work parties, community events, and 14 business partnership models, having planted or protected nearly 500,000 trees since 2021.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2021
- HeadquartersBellingham, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Whatcom Million Trees Project does
Whatcom Million Trees Project (WMTP) is a 501c3 nonprofit organization founded in 2021 in Bellingham, Washington, operating exclusively within Whatcom County. Its mission is to plant and protect one million trees in Whatcom County through a three-pronged strategy: Plant native tree seedlings in public lands and at-risk neighborhoods; Protect mature urban trees and rural forests from clear-cuts, development, and invasive species (particularly English ivy); and Connect community members through hands-on work parties, film screenings, and advocacy campaigns. In its first four years the organization planted or protected approximately 500,000 trees, with an average all-in cost of roughly $10 per tree covering site preparation, seedling purchase, storage, delivery, planting coordination, and maintenance. Core operational technology consists of a volunteer-driven work-party model, manual mapping of 3,200+ ivy-affected trees with an interactive progress map, and pioneering use of Miyawaki mini-forest methodology in Bellingham — the first such installations north of Seattle. The organization is led by Executive Director Susan Hutton (since February 2025), Operations Manager Mallorey Roe (the only paid full-time employee), and a team of largely volunteer coordinators supported by a seven-member board.
WMTP's go-to-market is community-led rather than transactional. It serves three primary segments: individual Whatcom County residents (volunteers and donors — ~500 on-call, ~400 on work party mailing lists, ~800 newsletter subscribers as of early 2024), local businesses (14 partnership models including One for One, 1% For Trees, Round-Ups, Carbon Offset, Team-Building Work Parties, and corporate grants — partners include Phillips 66, WECU, Haggen, Village Books, Sea Witch Botanicals, Trove Cannabis, Superfeet, and Dewey Griffin Subaru), and government agencies plus conservation organizations (City and County Parks, NSEA, Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Conservation District, Whatcom Humane Society, WWU). Revenue is raised through individual donations (one-time and recurring monthly/quarterly subscriptions), corporate grants, business partnership contributions, land and vehicle donations, and small fees from educational workshops such as the Safekeeping prints workshop. The organization commits 90%+ of donations directly to local projects, is sustained by volunteer labor at minimal overhead, and holds the Candid/GuideStar Platinum Seal of Transparency (2025).
Notable competitive differentiators include WMTP's recognized authority as the only Whatcom County organization focused on both planting and protecting one million trees, its first-mover position on Miyawaki methodology in the region, and its successful leadership of the Washington State English ivy sales ban (effective August 2025) — only the second such state-level ban in the U.S. Distribution is entirely local; there is no geographic expansion strategy, and services are not exportable beyond Whatcom County.
Whatcom Million Trees Project firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Whatcom Million Trees Project
- Legal name
- Whatcom Million Trees Project
- Website
- https://whatcommilliontrees.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2021
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Whatcom Million Trees Project is a Bellingham, Washington 501c3 nonprofit that plants and protects trees in Whatcom County through volunteer work parties, community events, and 14 business partnership models, having planted or protected nearly 500,000 trees since 2021.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Whatcom Million Trees Project industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Environmental Conservation Services
- NAICS
- Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Support Activities for Forestry (115310)
- SIC
- Forestry (800), Agricultural Services (700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting (AFAMACAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Tree Planting & Establishment Services (Manual/Mechanized) (AFAMACAE), Tree Protection & Browsing Control (Guards, Fencing, Repellents) (AFAMACAH)
Keywords
Where Whatcom Million Trees Project is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bellingham
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Whatcom Million Trees Project business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting tree planting and protection efforts. Options include one-time donations, recurring monthly/quarterly donations, memory/honor gifts, and anonymous donations. Also accepts appreciated securities for tax-advantaged giving.
- Business Partnerships: 14 different partnership models for businesses including One for One programs, 1% For Trees, Round-Ups of purchases, Carbon offset programs, Point of Sale options, Event sponsorships, Team-building work parties, and corporate grants. Creates win-win benefits for businesses and the community.
- Land Donations: Accepts gifts of land for tree planting or protection. Donors may reduce capital gains tax and receive income tax deduction.
- Vehicle Donations: Accepts donated vehicles (cars, trucks, RVs, boats) which are sold with proceeds supporting the mission.
- Educational Workshops: Fees charged for educational workshops such as the Safekeeping: Prints from Lake Whatcom Watershed 2-day workshop taught by woodcut print artist Charles Spitzack.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Cost per tree planted ranges $7-12 depending on site conditions |
| Subscription | Monthly | Recurring donation options for ongoing support |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Donations accepted in any amount |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels9 records
Whatcom Million Trees Project product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Whatcom Million Trees Project is a 501c3 nonprofit that organizes volunteer-driven tree planting and tree protection services in Whatcom County, Washington under a three-pronged Plant, Protect, Connect strategy. Services include community work parties for native tree planting, English ivy removal from mature trees, development of Miyawaki mini-forests, tree protection advocacy through petitions, and educational community events. The organization also facilitates tree seedling rescues, accepts donations and land/vehicle gifts, and runs 14 business partnership programs.
Product overview
Whatcom Million Trees Project is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that offers community programs focused on tree planting, tree protection, and environmental advocacy within Whatcom County, Washington. Rather than a commercial product portfolio, the organization provides volunteer-based tree planting services, English ivy removal initiatives, Miyawaki mini-forest development, educational resources, advocacy campaigns, and donation/fundraising programs to advance its mission of planting and protecting one million trees. The organization does not offer traditional commercial products or SaaS offerings.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Community Tree Planting Program Volunteer-led native tree planting across parks, trails, and public-purposed lands in Whatcom County. Work parties are all-ages, require no special skills, and are coordinated with city and county parks departments.
- English Ivy Removal Program Volunteer-driven removal of English ivy from mature trees combined with mapping of 3,200+ affected trees and statewide advocacy. WMTP advocacy contributed to Washington's English ivy sales ban effective August 2025.
- Miyawaki Mini-Forest Development Urban reforestation using the Miyawaki methodology, planting native climax species in five layers in amended soil in small urban spaces to accelerate forest growth. WMTP developed the first two Miyawaki mini-forests in Bellingham and north of Seattle.
- Whatcom Humane Society Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Reforestation Multi-year reforestation project covering approximately 12 acres at the Whatcom Humane Society's Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, planting over 2,000 native tree seedlings and hundreds of understory plants.
- Tree Seedling Rescue Program Accepts healthy native tree seedlings donated by local residents from their yards and transplants them into WMTP planting projects. Over 200 seedlings have been rescued since inception.
- Community Education and Film Screening Events Public film screenings, presentations, book talks, and tree celebrations hosted at venues like Pickford Film Center, libraries, and parks to raise awareness about the multifaceted benefits of trees and forests.
- Educational Workshops Fee-based educational workshops such as the Safekeeping: Prints from Lake Whatcom Watershed 2-day woodcut print workshop taught by Charles Spitzack.
- Tree Protection Advocacy and Petitions Online petition campaigns and policy advocacy aimed at saving mature trees from development and protecting forests from clear-cuts and invasive species.
- Business Partnership Programs Fourteen structured partnership models enabling local businesses to integrate tree planting and protection into their operations, marketing, and employee engagement activities.
Quantifiable outcome
- One million trees planted and protected in Whatcom County for climate resilience and community well-being
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Whatcom Million Trees Project
Customer profileNamed customers18 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Whatcom Million Trees Project technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Whatcom Million Trees Project partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- A1DesignBuildcoreLocal contractor that partnered with WMTP on carbon offset program. WMTP helped calculate their wood use and estimated how many trees to plant based on sustainability goals.
- Backcountry EssentialsminorOutdoor gear retailer contributes items of value to WMTP that are used or raffled at popular community events, providing positive exposure.
- Fred MeyerminorParticipates in Community Rewards program allowing customers to link loyalty accounts to support WMTP.
- Garden Spot NurserycoreLocal nursery that voluntarily stopped selling English ivy and provides discounts on tools/equipment for WMTP work parties.
- HaggenminorGrocery store offers Point of Sale option where customers can add $1 or more to their bill to support WMTP.
- Kombucha TownminorLocal kombucha producer provides drinks for WMTP work parties at discounted cost.
- Sea Witch BotanicalscoreDonates 1% of net or gross profits to plant and protect local trees through ongoing partnership.
- Sehome Eye CareminorProvides exclusive discount codes to reward WMTP work party participants, bringing traffic to their business.
- Dewey Griffin SubaruminorCo-advertising partnership includes WMTP in promotional materials to demonstrate support for local health and climate resilience.
- SuperfeetcoreOrganizes team-building work parties with employees at local parks. Example Success Story for employee volunteer programs.
- Trove CannabiscoreOne for One program: plants or protects one tree for every designated product sold, ongoing or during specific sales periods.
- Village BooksminorRound-Ups program asks customers to round up purchases to nearest dollar to donate to WMTP.
- Whatcom Land Trust (WLT)coreTree planting partner with decades of experience. Assisted with forest purchases for habitat preservation. Co-develops reforestation projects.
- Whatcom Humane SocietycoreCo-developing multi-year reforestation of Wildlife Rehabilitation Center site (12 acres). WMTP plants trees while WHS provides land and wildlife rehabilitation mission.
- Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA)coreTree planting partner with decades of successful tree-planting experience locally. Specializes in riparian restoration projects in cooperation with Whatcom County Public Works.
- Whatcom Conservation DistrictcoreLong-time tree planting partner. Coordinates riparian restoration projects in cooperation with Whatcom County Public Works. Provides technical expertise.
- City of Bellingham Parks & Recreation DepartmentcoreTree planting partner for parks restoration projects. WMTP plants trees in public parks with city approval and collaboration.
- Whatcom County Parks & Recreation DepartmentcoreTree planting partner for county park restoration projects. WMTP plants trees in public lands with county approval and collaboration.
- Pickford Film CentercorePartnered on DOCtober film series including Common Ground premiere (500+ attendees) and Elemental wildfire film. Hosts educational film screenings with Q&A sessions.
- Mount Baker Sierra ClubminorEnvironmental advocacy partner. Co-sponsored Hidden Life of Trees film screening and Old Growth Dedication at Baker Lake.
- North Cascades Audubon SocietyminorEnvironmental nonprofit partner focused on bird conservation and habitat protection.
- Kulshan Carbon TrustcoreSynergy partner on WHS Wildlife Rehab reforestation project. Established biochar-assisted test planting area and collaborates on youth measurement/monitoring programs.
- Western Washington University (WWU)corePartner on WWU Miyawaki Mini-Forest project - first Miyawaki mini-forest in Bellingham. Also partner on student leadership programs and campus-community partnerships.
- Old Growth Forest NetworkminorNational nonprofit dedicated to old-growth forest protection. Co-hosted Old Growth Dedication at Baker Lake (first in Whatcom County).
- Washington Conservation Corps (WCC)coreProvides invaluable site preparation/invasives removal and planting support for WMTP's future tree-planting sites through crew services.
- Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA)coreTransit for the Trees program donated 1,100+ trees by giving one tree per 100 bus rides during Climate Action Week 2023.
- Washington Native Plant Society - Koma Kulshan ChapterminorPartner providing guidance on understory planting within restoration areas at WHS Wildlife Rehab reforestation site.
- Nooksack Tribe Education CenterminorYouth from Education Center quarterly measure and monitor biochar test planting area within WHS Wildlife Rehab project site.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Whatcom Million Trees Project competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Arbor Day Foundation: National nonprofit focused on tree planting and stewardship across the US. Comparable as the largest-scale community tree-planting organization and natural donor/funder counterparty for local projects like WMTP.
- American Forests: Oldest US national conservation nonprofit focused on forest health and tree canopy. Comparable as a peer advocacy and reforestation organization with mature policy and federal-grant channels that local groups like WMTP can partner with or learn from.
Emerging players
- Plant-for-the-Planet: Global youth-led reforestation initiative. Comparable as a community-mobilization tree-planting organization, though operating at much larger geographic scale; useful analog for volunteer-network scaling.
Direct peers
- TreePeople: Los Angeles-based nonprofit focused on urban forestry, tree planting, and community climate resilience. Comparable in mission, volunteer-driven planting model, and emphasis on connecting residents to environmental action.
- Friends of Trees: Pacific Northwest nonprofit that plants trees in urban and rural areas via volunteer crews. Directly comparable as a regional tree-planting organization using community work parties and partnerships with municipalities.
- Whatcom Conservation District: Local government-affiliated conservation entity coordinating riparian restoration and tree planting in Whatcom County. Directly comparable as a long-established tree-planting and conservation partner.
- Casey Trees: DC-region nonprofit focused on planting, caring for, and advocating for the urban tree canopy. Comparable in volunteer work parties, urban heat/tree equity focus, and municipal advocacy model.
- Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association: Whatcom County-based nonprofit focused on riparian restoration and tree planting in salmon habitat. Direct regional peer and active WMTP partner doing overlapping tree-planting work locally.
- Whatcom Land Trust: Local Whatcom County land conservation nonprofit. Direct regional peer in forest conservation and habitat protection, and a co-development partner with WMTP on forest preservation.
Regional players
- City of Trees: Manchester, UK-based community tree-planting charity. Comparable in volunteer-driven urban reforestation model, though operating in a different geography with no direct US market overlap.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Whatcom Million Trees Project social profiles
Digital presenceWhatcom Million Trees Project compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Whatcom Million Trees Project financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Whatcom Million Trees Project leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Whatcom Million Trees Project funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Whatcom Million Trees Project M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Whatcom Million Trees Project
What does Whatcom Million Trees Project do?
Whatcom Million Trees Project is a 501c3 nonprofit that organizes volunteer-driven tree planting and tree protection services in Whatcom County, Washington under a three-pronged Plant, Protect, Connect strategy. Services include community work parties for native tree planting, English ivy removal from mature trees, development of Miyawaki mini-forests, tree protection advocacy through petitions, and educational community events. The organization also facilitates tree seedling rescues, accepts donations and land/vehicle gifts, and runs 14 business partnership programs.
Is Whatcom Million Trees Project a public or private company?
Whatcom Million Trees Project is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Whatcom Million Trees Project founded?
Whatcom Million Trees Project was founded in 2021. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Whatcom Million Trees Project based?
Whatcom Million Trees Project is headquartered in Bellingham, United States, in the North America region.
How does Whatcom Million Trees Project make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Individual Donations are the primary driver. The others are business Partnerships, land Donations, vehicle Donations and educational Workshops.
Who are Whatcom Million Trees Project's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Arbor Day Foundation and American Forests. Plant-for-the-Planet is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are TreePeople, Friends of Trees, Whatcom Conservation District, Casey Trees, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Whatcom Land Trust. City of Trees is listed as a regional player.
Does Whatcom Million Trees Project have an API?
No public API is recorded for Whatcom Million Trees Project.
What industry is Whatcom Million Trees Project in?
Whatcom Million Trees Project's product category is Environmental Conservation Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAMACAL, Urban & Community Reforestation / Street Tree Planting, with a secondary code of AFAMACAE, Tree Planting & Establishment Services (Manual/Mechanized). Its NAICS code is 813312 and its SIC code is 800.