Leadership is about inspiring others to act. Inspired by Prince Harry’s passion for the environment, and Meghan Duchess of Sussex’s drive for uplifting others; a global network of Sussex supporters from 12 different countries have come together for a worthy cause. The goal is to plant 10,000 trees #SussexGreatForest as a tribute to Prince Harry, Duchess Meghan and Master Archie. The campaign ends on Master Archie’s first birthday.

Hashtags are not enough. We have a responsibility as well that if you’re part of social media and engaging in that way we’re not just giving people more things to chat about but actually something to do and what’s the action?

Meghan Duchess of Sussex

According to the UN Environment Programme, 7 million hectares of forest are destroyed every year, an area roughly the size of Portugal. Forests are the lungs of our planet; their loss has serious effects on Earth’s biodiversity, environment, and climate.

All of us working together can try to change the climate outlook for Archie’s generation.

Planting trees allows us to show positive support for the couple in a cause that they also support, and one which will have a long-term impact vital to a sustainable future.

https://linktr.ee/Sussexgtforest

Share pictures of your donations on Twitter or Instagram to @SussexGtForest, using the hashtag #SussexGreatForest.

The campaign runs from UK National Tree Week (23 November – 1 December 2019) through Archie’s first birthday, 6 May 2020.

Please join us and let Sussex Great Forest rise as a symbol of love and hope.

The Sussex Great Forest initiative:

#SussexGreatForest initiative, which launches ahead of National Tree Week in the U.K., follows in the footsteps of Harry’s #LookingUp social media campaign, which he launched with National Geographic to highlight the importance of conservation and his work on the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy campaign (which has seen 53 Commonwealth countries dedicate indigenous forest for conservation or commit to planting trees to combat climate change.)

Erica Saunders US based organizer.

Global Community Collaboration Beyond Hashtags

The organizers wanted to show support for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in a substantial way. Organizations involved:

• The U.K.-based Tree Sisters is a female network of nature lovers, leaders, activists, daughters, and mothers working to inspire a wide diversity of women to help crowd-fund tropical reforestation.
• U.S. nonprofit One Tree Planted focuses on planting trees around the world.
• Britain’s International Tree Foundation is one of world’s oldest tree-planting programs and is involved in initiatives in more than 30 countries.
• Kenya’s indigenous Green Belt Movement organization, which was founded by Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, works to engage women in planting trees, empower communities, and help protect critical watersheds.

We are inspired by the passion Prince Harry has shown for the environment, Meghan for uplifting women—who are the beneficiaries of some of the organizations we’ve chosen—as well as by young people like Greta Thunberg who are clamoring for us adults to do something to change the world we pass down to them.

Rita Anne Wallace US Based Organizer

Tangible impact to show support for Duke and Duchess of Sussex

We started talking about this in July, but it was the couple’s recent tour of southern Africa that really had us switch gears.Not only did we want to counter the biased, negative reporting from some of the British media, we also wanted to show our support in an impactful way.

Erica Saunders US Based Organizer

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have inspired others to lead because leaders create leaders. The former Meghan Markle prior to marrying into the royal family empowered leaders through her lifestyle platform THE TIG.

NB: This campaign is not officially linked to or sponsored by the Duke & Duchess of Sussex

We at www.duchessofinfluence.com are not part of the organizers of this great campaign however; following in the Sussex tradition of togetherness, collaboration and community we have provided our platform to highlight this worthy cause.