Clima-Med Planting Day2019_EN Pack_FINAL

Clima-Med Regional
PLANTING DAY
2019
www.climamed.eu

CREDITS:
Cover Photo: Noah Buscher @unsplash
Icons: Trees @Freepik ; Calendar @Smashicons
Contract @wanicon; Leaf @Freepik
Road @ Prosymbols; Camera @Freepik
Enterprise @geotatah
Green-Tea @dDara

Clima-Med
Regional Planting Day, 2019:
GREEN UP
YOUR COMMUNITY
In anticipation of the United Nation’s Climate Change Conference
of the Parties (COP25), Santiago, Chile (December 2-13, 2019)
The EU funded project
Clima-Med, Acting for Climate in South Mediterranean
is pleased to invite you to
the launch of a Regional Planting Day.

What is it about?
Organized by Clima-Med, with the support of the European Union, the Planting Day is an awareness raising
activity and event that engages citizens and local authorities to green up their communities, as part of their
fight against Climate Change and to make an impact on protecting the planet.
Why ?
The objective of this action is to raise young people's awareness of primarily young people of the need to care
for the environment they live in and of the importance of plants/trees as one of the most effective ways to
fight global warming: because it is the “right” environmental and “ethical” contribution to do, but it is also in
everyone’s “self-interest” - from urban dwellers, rural communities, to farmers, beekeepers, hikers, now and of
course for generations to come
Who ?
All and each of the municipalities are invited to organise its Planting Day; with the partners of its choice.
Clima-Med will give maximum publicity to the activity, with the help of its communications and promotional
support to ensure its success. Clima-med will bring support to municipalities showing interest in the action and
who have signed the commitment form.
When and how ?
1. Share your commitment by signing and sending back the Engagement form attached
by November 1st, 2019
2. Hold your Planting Day during the month of November or before November 28.
Record the event as much as possible: photos, videos, social media, interviews
3. Email to actions@climamed.eu pictures and videos, before November 30, in order to
promote your action and benefit from greater visibility at the CoP25 during and within the venue of
the international event (2-13 December), as well as on our wide network of social media. If you are not
able to meet these dates, your action will still be promoted and advertised later on our social media.
Commit to maintain the planted area
for 2/3 years after planting
page 4

Organise the event and implement the action!
Then, send us pictures and videos to promote them during the COP 25
week and the venue, as well as on our social media.
The “Planting Day” will show citizens why caring for their
environment is important by:
Targeting a wide audiences,
with a particular focus on
young people
Bringing diverse communities
together to develop
and implement a green
action
Encouraging nature and
environment care as one of
the most effective ways to
fight global warming
Raising awareness on the
importance of plants/trees
as one of the most effective
ways to fight global
warming
Actively involving citizens
and supporting them in
advocacy actions for an
improved environment
page 5

Get organized: The Roadmap
As you decide the logistics of the community planting day, remember
you can achieve other community goals at the same time. For example,
if you have wanted to provide an opportunity to involve youth in an
activity, mobilize community Seniors, or help neighbours get to know
each other, a Planting Day can provide an excellent opportunity to
achieve your community goals as well as beautify your surroundings.
LOOK FOR YOUR PARTNERS
• Associations and NGOs: Identifying non-public actors
(associations and local organizations) at local level for
partnerships and participation
• Volunteers from the civil society: Schools; students;
businesses/ private sector; senior community;
• Greenhouses: what plants; what price; is it a participative
approach where greenhouses can offer a certain
amount of plants and/or give a good price? could they
provide the plants?
• Sponsoring: How and who could they sponsor the action?
• European Union Delegations (EUDs)
SET A PLACE, DATE AND TIME
• Choose a location – where to plant
• Selection of the right site is of paramount importance
for the overall impact of the event: Select a location/site
(such as school yards, public squares, city garden, etc)
• Choose a day (National Tree day or any other day)
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO
• Publicize the event: letting others know about the good
things you are doing in your neighbourhood. Planning
Media Relations to promote the planting day through
the usual channels of the municipality and attract media
attention
• Clean the soil (remove plastics, rocks…)
• Chose the appropriate plants/trees/shrubs (any kind of
plants depending on the site to be planted)
• Prepare the soil (create biomass/fertilizers/manure...)
and mix it with the soil
• Plant
• Cover with hay and water
• Photos and/or videos
• A small first aid kit ready for minor accidents
• Provide water, caps, planting tools and seedlings to all
volunteers as well as food stations for breakfast and
lunch available on-site.
• Banners with logos of sponsors, participating organizations
and /or administrations
WHAT YOU GET
• Planting in a public place
• Taking pictures of the action
• Sending us the pictures in order to create a common
photo album and promote it on social media and at the
CoP25; each of the participating city will have it later on.
• Beautified surroundings
AND DON’T FORGET TO DO DURING
THE EVENT:
Minimise waste (e.g. avoid and if not possible reduce
printed material and gadgets, packaging, single-use
items, food waste) Recycle waste via an appropriate
system of waste sorting, collection and recycling
page 6

TERMS & CONDITIONS
Participating cities must sign the attached commitment letter
and send it back via email to:
actions@climamed.eu by November 1st, 2019;
The municipality shall be responsible for the safety of participating citizens and volunteers during the planting Day.
The municipality will determine the ideal planting location and whether it is an appropriate site for a tree(s)/seedlings to be planted.
The municipality shall determine the appropriate plants species for the location. It shall favour the planting of local species, most appropriate
for the soil.
The municipality shall regularly survey and maintain the plants; newly planted trees and seeds are very sensitive and should get the best
growing conditions;
Ensure visibility of the European Union logo and flag on-site.
During the planting day, the municipality will try to guarantee that there is an equal number of volunteers and local community members
in attendance. This ensures that there is an opportunity for meaningful engagement from both sides throughout the day.
By participating to the Clima-Med Planting Day, the municipality acknowledges that it will grant the Clima-Med project and its affiliated
publications an unrestricted, perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to publish, reproduce, display, distribute and create derivative
works of the entries (along with a name credit) of the submitted photo and videos of the day.
Such use may include but is not limited to: a photo exhibit or slideshow featuring selected images from the contest; use for illustration
purposes on the Clima-Med website and social media channels, in online or print versions of any future publications made by Clima-Med;
and for the promotion of future contests. Clima-Med will not be required to seek any additional approval in connection with
such use.
In no event shall the Clima-Med project or the European Union be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental
damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the
organisation of the Planting Day or the contents of the Planting Day. The municipality shall be responsible for the safety of participating
citizens and volunteers during the planting Day.
ACCEPTANCE OF THE RULES: Participation in the Planting Day implies full acceptance of the above rules.
DISCLAIMER: This awareness event is organized with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility
of Clima-Med’s team of experts and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
page 7

GUIDELINES: PLANNING THE ''PLANTING DAY"
GATHERING EQUIPMENT CHEKLIST
Have all of your equipment ready the day of the event. Don't forget to ask your volunteers to bring what they have on this
list as well. Use the following checklist for necessary planting equipment:
• Seedlings/Trees
• Shovels
• Wheelbarrows
• Dibble Bars
• Heavy duty kitchen scissors
• Water Buckets, Hoses
• Hammers
• Plants protectors
• Gloves for volunteers who don't have a
pair of their own
• Water for your volunteers
• A first-aid kit
• Compost/ Wood chips
Be sure to contact groups that may provide free supplies or ask volunteers to bring some of their own.
WHAT TO DO ON THE “D” DAY
To ensure that the day goes smoothly, get organized.
Divide the responsibilities among several people.
Put one person in charge on planting day who should:
• Be able to think on his or her feet and effectively
direct the work of volunteers.
• Know the logistics of the event and the desired
tree-planting method.
• Be able to communicate with other leaders throughout
the event.
• Focus entirely on keeping the event flowing smoothly.
Have a meeting prior to the event. For success, plan an
orientation meeting for volunteer leaders immediately
before the tree-planting event. Follow it with a planting
demonstration.
Leaders can then put on mini-planting demonstrations for
each work crew.
Schedule breaks throughout the planting event.
Have a first-aid station/kit and rest rooms available.
Be sure that volunteers know where to find them.
Make a backup plan for bad weather.
AFTER THE TREES ARE PLANTED
Once new trees are planted, there is maintenance involved for the first few years such as:
• Watering is the most important task for plant growth for the first 2 to 3 years until the plants get established.
• Mulching, to improves soil structure and aeration, keeps roots cool and moist
• Weed control by avoiding use of weed killers (herbicide) around young trees
• Pruning, Fertilizing and Controlling Insects and Disease
page 8

GUIDELINES: ALL ABOUT PLANTING
SELECTING QUALITY PLANTS
Different types of trees and shrubs, often called stock, are available for purchase. Stock varies in terms of root mass, size,
relative cost, ease of planting, handling, season of availability and establishment success.
Using donated or purchased trees: In some cases, trees can and will be donated by associations and/or greenhouses.
PLANTING SEEDLINGS
Planting seedlings is an easy economical way to plant
large numbers of trees. Seedlings are available from a
variety of sources and can often be obtained for free.
Seedlings are very small, so people of almost any age and
ability can participate in planting.
Seedlings are planted essentially the same way as larger
trees, but with less effort by using these steps:
1. Dig a hole large enough to spread out the root system.
2. Place the seedling in the hole. Be sure to spread out all
of the roots without bending them. Be sure to place the
tree at the right depth when backfilling the hole.
3. Mulch and water the seedling to finish the job. You can
maintain seedlings simply by watering and weeding.
A seedlings smaller root system will dry out faster than
larger trees, so water more frequently. Be careful not
to over-water. Tree seedlings are also more likely to be
affected from the competition of weeds and grasses; so,
weed planting areas and replenish wood chips frequently.
Tree tubes help increase the survival rates of deciduous
seedlings by encouraging growth and reducing damage
caused by animals. Tubes can be essential in areas with a
high deer population. Although tubes can substantially
increase the success of seedling plantings, they will also
add significantly to the cost
PLANTING TREES
Step 1 - Prepare Site: Draw a circle 3 to 5 times the root
ball diameter with the center being the location of the tree.
Remove sod or grass. Remove, till, or break up the soil to a
depth of 10 to 12 inches.
Step 2 - Dig Hole: Dig a hole in the center of this circle that
is 1-foot larger in diameter than the root ball. Dig only as
deep as the distance from the root collar to the bottom of
the roots. Maintain undisturbed soil beneath the root ball
to prevent the tree from settling.
Step 3 - Place Tree: Carefully place the tree in the center of
the hole. Some trees require that a container or basket be
removed.
Step 4 - Backfill: Be sure that the tree is at the right depth
and plumb. Fill the hole with the soil that was removed. As
the backfill is added, lightly push the soil around the roots
or water the soil to eliminate air pockets. Backfill to the
height just below the root collar. To prevent compaction,
do not pack soil after you water.
Step 5 - Mulch: Add 4 inches of organic mulch on top of
the planting circle. Keep the mulch 4 inches away from the
trunk to prevent fungus from growing on the tree trunk.
Step 6 - Pruning and Staking: Limit pruning to removing
broken or dead branches and roots at the time you plant.
Delay cosmetic pruning for a year. A tree should not be
staked unless absolutely necessary because of extremely
windy conditions or a high risk of vandalism. See below for
a discussion of staking
Step 7 - Water: The last, and one of the most important
things to do is to water the tree. Thoroughly soak the soil
around the tree. At minimum, water weekly during the
spring and summer months.
Check soil moisture levels for the next 2 to 3 months and
then weekly until established. The more closely you match
your watering frequency to the optimum, the quicker trees
become established. Do not water or irrigate daily if the
soil drains poorly (that is -soil drains less than 3⁄4 inches per
hour). Also reduce watering in cool, cloudy, or wet weather.
page 9

ON YOUR MARKS,
GET READY,
PLANT !
DISCLAIMER:
The Regional Planting Day 2019 is organised with
the financial support of the European Union. The concept for the awareness
campaign is the sole responsibility of the Clima-Med's team, and
do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
www.climamed.eu