“The forest and the human body and imagination are seamless. Trees carry a serenity that is timeless. Trees protect the quiet and breathe along with us. [...] The world is not made for us. [...] Who are we to say that the world was created for us, and when do the fish and grasses get a chance to state their claim? The earth is not mute.”

— Michael Stone

1 YEAR - 2 HALF - 3 FULL - 1 ULTRA MARATHON

232 km to plant native and indigenous Irish trees

Run to Plant Trees is a cause and a call for climate action created by Baiba Šustere, yoga and meditation teacher, an avid runner and nature lover, who is based in Galway, Ireland.

On November 11, 2018, Baiba ran her first marathon - the Athens Authentic Marathon - and it was for her an absolutely exhilarating yet eye opening experience. During the summer of 2018, a part of the Athens Marathon course had devastating wildfires which resulted in lost lives, destruction of property, and large decimated forest areas. To show support for this tragedy the organizers of the Athens Authentic Marathon launched “Runners’ Forest”, an initiative seeking to plant trees over a 4 km stretch along the decimated marathon course. Before the race each participant received a green bandana that read “Runner’s Forest” both in Greek and English, and runners were asked to put the bandanas on to show their support for the cause.

Throughout the Athens Marathon Baiba could not stop thinking about the devastating situation that the whole world is in, and the urgency needed to address climate crisis. And so Baiba’s first marathon sparked an idea for an initiative to Run to Plant Trees.

Run to Plant Trees was a year-long fundraiser during which Baiba ran 2 half marathons, 3 marathons and 1 ultra marathon, altogether 232 km. The aim was to raise funds to plant native and indigenous Irish trees on the West Coast of Ireland with Hometree Charity. Baiba also created a platform which informs about the importance of trees, forests and biodiversity, and how it relates to local communities and climate crises. To achieve it Baiba not only ran 6 races along the West Coast of Ireland, but also organised fundraising events accessible to everyone in community. Run to Plant Trees created a platform to talk about current climate crises, importance of individual and systematic changes, about the beauty of our nature, and how important it is to respect and preserve it.

The initiative supports only planting of native and indigenous trees, and through that hope to restore also the biodiversity of the local landscape. Forests offer a diverse set of habitat for animals, plants, insects and micro-organisms. So, forest biological diversity encompasses multitude of plants, animals and micro-organisms that inhabit forest areas and their associated genetic diversity.

To plant trees Baiba worked closely with Hometree charity (RCN 20100995), based on the Wild Atlantic Coast of Ireland in Co. Clare. The initiative on a larger scale hopes to also inform and increase awareness about the importance of trees, protection of existing forests, and importance of planting native and indigenous trees.

Run to Plant Trees began with the Connemara Marathon on Sunday, April 14, 2019, and finished with the Connemara Virtual Ultra Marathon on Sunday, September 19 (initially race was supposed to be held on April 19, 2020). What Baiba loves the most about these long distance races is that there is a great sense of community, as someone said, if you have lost faith in humanity, go and watch a marathon race. It truly does offer a sight of the true human nature, resilience, persistence, strength, encouragement and joy. A community where everyone is a winner doesn’t matter whether you finish first, last or in the middle, you did it.

With Run to Plant Trees Baiba hopes that she brought this attitude of encouragement, strength and persistence into action, and encouraged each of you to do something you thought you will never achieve.

You are a part of nature. Stay kind, run and plant some trees.

Follow the journey also on Instagram, and Facebook.

Continue to support Hometree and the amazing job they are doing.