ABOUT URBEM & OUR MISSION TO MAKE LISBON GREEN
We create miniature forests. Our dedicated team of thirty core volunteers from 15 different countries transforms vacant, undesirable lots around the city into Fast Forests®. These compact green spaces sustain thousands of native plants, provide habitats for critical species, and act as community hubs for eco-education, art, and special events.

HOW WE TURN ABANDONED LAND INTO CRITICAL GREEN SPACES
Utilizing mindful, Miyawaki-inspired principles, our biologists and forest designers carefully choose suitable plants and plot strategic layouts to ensure the best chance of viability while maximizing environmental benefits. Volunteers plant, maintain, and monitor growth. Each bio-diverse Fast Forest® is fully sustainable within three years and absorbs 265% more carbon than traditional reforesting methods.

We partner with EU-CONEXUS Fund for Sustainable Cities, Lisbon City Hall, Lisbon’s Life Lungs Project, PLMJ law firm, Afforest, Open Forest Protocol, and several local community outreach centers. Now, we need your help.

HOW YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE––AND CREATE A LEGACY
Let’s face it: future climate predictions look grim. It doesn't have to be that way. Your gift of any size goes 100% to the purchase, planting, and care of life-sustaining plants.

*** PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM BEFORE DONATING ***

Here’s how it works:

Become a Forest Ambassador: €20
Adopt a Nanoplot, the smallest unit of a Fast Forest®. Each Nanoplot supports the planting and care of roughly 3 native plants. As a Forest Ambassador, you get:
. An official Nanoplot adoption certificate;
. A shout-out on social media;
. Three custom dedication cards for your gift.


Nominate Others and Become a Forest Guardian
Just like a forest sustains an entire ecosystem, we’re harnessing the power of collective networks. Use your dedication cards to nominate three other people to become Forest Ambassadors in your very own pod––it’s like being the honorary mayor of your own micro-community.

When three Forest Ambassadors join your pod, you’ll be designated a Forest Guardian. In addition to the cool title, you’ll also receive:
. A native Portuguese seed ball to throw into our Fast Forest®;
. The opportunity to physically plant your tree with your pod in January 2023 (if you’re unable to come, we’ll still plant it in your honor);
. A shout-out on the eco-friendly Donor Wall of Fame on our website.


Become the Forest Champion and Name the Whole Forest
Each Forest Ambassador that joins your network expands the size of your pod. At the end of the fundraiser, the Forest Guardian with the biggest pod (i.e. with the most Forest Ambassadors in their network) becomes the one and only Forest Champion and receives the grand prize: the opportunity to name our newest Fast Forest® in Bela Vista Park.

Pretty cool, right? For just €20, you could name a forest that will stand for hundreds of years and improve an entire city!

You can come up with a name that is creative, silly, serious, memorializes loved ones, promotes your business, is named after your dog (Fido’s Forest?)––anything you want. Well, almost anything. In the spirit of fostering a shared, positive community, we (URBEM) will have final approval of the name, but we’re sure we’re going to love whatever you pick.


Or, If you prefer to donate in a more traditional way, you can also adopt a tree.

Sponsor a Native Tree: €15
Your gift provides for the planting and care of a native tree, such as a Cork, Oak, Olive, or Carob. Visit the Fast Forest® where your adopted tree is planted for decades to come.

*** FILL OUT THE FORM TO GET YOUR DONATION BENEFITS ***

WHY OTHER PROJECTS FAIL––AND HOW YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Planting trees battles climate change by extracting carbon from the atmosphere, stabilizing local ecosystems, and improving air quality, biodiversity, and soil viability. However, many tree-planting projects fail because they lack funding for post-planting maintenance.

URBEM’s commitment doesn't end when the trees are planted. Our all-volunteer team monitors, maintains, and cares for every single plant we introduce to our forests. With your help, we can continue to undertake this most critical task of ensuring a long, healthy life for our native plants and trees.

Every giant tree started as a sapling. Similarly, it takes the small actions of many people to impart real, positive change.

You have the power to create a greener, more hopeful future. Will you help?