Expanding the One Bench One Tree Program at Health Facilities

Expanding the One Bench One Tree Program at Health Facilities

Through the common desire to honour heroes, healthcare heroes in particular, One Bench One Tree (1B1T) and Trees for Life came together.  After four years, the founders needed to step away but wanted to ensure the continuation of the 1B1T program.  Enter TFL, they were pleased to take this unique program in-house.

The program was started by University of Guelph Masters of Landscape Architecture (MLA) students in the early days of the pandemic to thank healthcare workers for their efforts and provide them with a gift of rest and reflection. 

On hospital grounds, a bench is affixed to a concrete pad, and a tree is planted two metres away to represent the physical distance Canadians have been asked to maintain for social distancing.

A plaque is placed at each tree to indicate that the landscaping is a gift of rest dedicated to front-line workers on behalf of all Canadians.

“It’s been an honour building 1B1T with my co-founders, partners, and sponsors. We were surprised at the impact of this initiative, especially on mental health.  Often, we watched health workers sit on the bench, look at the tree and plaque, and start to weep, touched by this gift.  We are excited to see how Trees for Life will grow the project within their Trees for Health program, and we know it’s in good hands.”  - Everett DeJong, co-founder, One Bench One Tree

Staff at St Peters Hospital Hamilton

Trees for Life is honoured to continue this program and is looking for interested health facility partners.  Please contact Marina at Marina@treesforlife.ca.