Who is BGPP | Blue Green Planet Project™

Our Story

Blue Green Planet Project started because we are grateful for what we have, and we want to give back. As former and current tree planters we created a nature-based sustainability initiative focussed on restoring forests in Western Canada for carbon sequestration and ecosystem health while supporting rural and indigenous communities.

Specifically, we decided to use our experience and networks tree planting to develop projects and mobilize resources to plant that would not otherwise be planted.

We believe in the interconnectedness of things. Our name, Blue Green Planet Project, represents our commitment the planet’s lands and the oceans.

We were inspired by the amazing work of the late Rob Stewart, founder of the Sharkwater Foundation. His commitment to preserving a keystone species of the planet and educating people is a demonstration of the impact we can each create. His use of video and imagery to share his message inspired us to develop the Tree Planting Film Festival — a celebration of the art and culture of tree planting. “

Tree Planting Film Festival

Experience & Stewardship

Our planting efforts are focused in Western Canada. We partner with communities, indigenous groups, governments, businesses and individuals to plant incremental trees – trees that would not have been planted otherwise. We partner directly with Canadian tree planting companies who collectively plant over 80+ million trees a year which means we have the capacity to plant trees at scale.

Building momentum every day towards solutions.

Meet the Team

Staff

Our team is made up of passionate former and current tree planters. We saw first hand the impact that climate change has had on our vast Canadian wilderness, from pine beetle infestation, forest fires, and flooding that changed the face of the landscape.

We were shaped by the transformative experience that is tree planting, and the people and places we saw. Blue Green Planet Project is our commitment to putting back, and a commitment to the future of mother earth.

Tim Tchida

CEO

I started planting trees in 1986 and with Summit Reforestation I have participated in planting 675 Million trees throughout Western Canada. With bears, bugs and beautiful people it has been a profound initiation. My classical education is in the humanities with a double major in Philosophy of Science and Religious Studies which is a solid foundation for business. However, my greatest gift in education has been through the forest industry and the community of tree planting.
Now it is time to give back.

Tel: 250-847-1114

Greg Brown

Operations

Trees have always been there for me; as a child I played amongst them and as a summer student I worked forestry jobs. Since graduating with a geological engineering degree my passion is collaborating with others and forming partnerships to solve tough problems for the benefits of communities and our climate. I have a range of experience including engineering, energy efficiency and renewable energy policy work, elected local governance, and facilitation.

Tel: 250-847-3143

Gavin Van Elsberg

Development

During my years as a tree planter, I saw first hand the impact that wildfires had caused across Western Canada. It let me not only see the issues I knew existed, but forced me to confront them head on. After graduating and working in a corporate environment, I realized I wanted to be a part of the solution, rather than a part of the problem. BGPP, much like tree-planting, is about community, stewardship and reconnecting with nature, and that is why I am so passionate about what we do. Climate action, one tree at at time.

Tel: 416-655-2422

LinkedIn

Ambassadors

Riley Tchida

Ambassador

I’ve been around planting most of my life; I started planting at 16. What I love about planting is what I love about BGPP… you actively get to see your hard work rewarded. Tree planting has taught me that if you work hard and surround yourself with good people you can achieve your goals. This is what we are doing at BGPP working hard, surrounding ourselves with good people and achieving our goal to make change; one tree at a time.

Allison Johns

Ambassador

I grew up appreciating and exploring the wilderness in NW Ontario. After six seasons of tree planting in BC my love for forests continues to grow. With a forestry diploma and an environmental management degree I’m so grateful to be involved in an initiative that gives back to the planet and shares the same values as I do.

Anthony Sou

Ambassador

Planting brought me a sense of community that shaped who I am. In the three years that I’ve planted, I’ve learned how much “change” happens in our lives and how much control we can have; in ourselves and on our planet. BGPP allows me to continue to be involved in the world that’s made me who I am and to give back.

Emily Rutherford

Ambassador

I’ve been a tree planter for two years. The planting community has been a huge part of my growth as a worker and human being. I love tree planting and am so excited to be giving back to Canadian forests through BGPP.

Victoria St Germain

Ambassador

Planting trees for the past two years has changed my whole mindset and way of life. I value giving back and working together to do so. BGPP is another way to bring us together to make a change and I am so grateful to have another opportunity to meet others who are like-minded.

Sebastian Gadzinski

Ambassador

I went out west to plant trees to help pay for my education and ended up loving it so much that I went for another two years. I still want to give back to the earth, so I joined BGPP to help find local businesses who also want to give back.

Nicole Strevens

Ambassador

Tree-planting makes the rest of your life feel easy”- this is what my t-shirt says. I’ve endured three strong years of tree planting amidst the best people in my life, and my experience has taught me that it doesn’t just make the rest of my life feel easy, but possible. BGPP is how I plan to make a real change and meet others who value the same mission of giving back.

Henry McKenzie

Ambassador

I’ve planted trees for two summers: from B.C. to Manitoba. I love tree planting for the camaraderie, the intensity, and the roaring campfires. Working and living outside, I’ve been confronted by the reality of our changing climate. I’ve joined the BGPP to act on climate change, and because I believe in the benefits of properly managed forests.

Jake Tchida

Ambassador

My deep connections to trees began in my backyard with my earliest memories. Being from a family whose business was reforestation, I have experienced the amazing community, the efforts behind planting trees and the effects an individual’s two hands can have. I’m grateful for the three seasons where I’ve planted nearly half a million trees. Building connections between you and our forests is why I’m a BGPP ambassador.

David Prus

Ambassador

I planted trees for the last 3 summers. Initially, I considered the challenge of planting as a way to prove myself, but after my first season, I realized that planting trees was a lot more than that. It has taught me much more than I could have imagined and has shaped me into the person I am today.

Jared Underwood

Ambassador

I have an undeniable connection to everything in the world around me. A dreamer and a fighter motivated to do what’s right. Passionate, climate conscious, and eager to act.

Correne McGregor

Finances

I was born and raised in Smithers where I continue to live with my husband, cat, and dog. I have a Diploma in Management Studies with a focus on accounting. I love camping, snowmobiling, and travelling anywhere with lots of sun.

Tel: 250-847-1113

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