Ecosia Plants 125,000 Trees to Help California Fight Wildfires

Search engine Ecosia and U.S. nonprofit American Forests have teamed up to restore 125,000 trees in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, planting native, fire-resilient species across the Rim Fire burn scar. According to Ecosia, the project is part of a broader strategy to rebuild biodiversity, safeguard water for Los Angeles, and reduce future wildfire risk through science-backed reforestation.

The trees, planted throughout May and June, represent a proactive shift from emergency response to long-term fire resilience. It’s not Ecosia’s first climate move in the state—since 2022, they’ve supported urban tree planting in L.A. and helped restore other post-fire landscapes. But this initiative expands the effort into crucial watershed areas outside the city, where drought and wildfires are becoming more extreme and unpredictable due to climate change.

The timing is urgent. In March, U.S. federal policy rolled back protections by opening 280 million acres of national forest to logging and slashing budgets for parks and fire services. With government Support retreating, private climate actors like Ecosia are stepping in—fast. The project includes transparent monitoring like geotagged photos and a species report due in 2025.

As Britta Dyer of American Forests notes, “climate-smart reforestation” is essential to prepare for hotter, drier, and more erratic wildfire seasons. And Pieter van Midwoud of Ecosia adds, “Restoring fire-resilient giants like the sequoia is vital.” Ecosia’s model shows how climate-conscious tech can drive positive impact—225 million trees and counting, all funded by everyday searches.

Want to fight wildfires and restore the planet? Ditch Google and search with purpose. Ecosia proves that digital habits can plant real trees and protect our future. It’s time to take back the web—and give back to the Earth.

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