Members Said YES to Arbor Day, Raising Funds to Plant 100,000 Trees in North Carolina Forests

There are few things we enjoy more than a peaceful walk through the woods over 18 holes with friends. But trees, whether those circled by cart paths, found in the forests just outside your favorite courses, or even lining the streets of your hometown, are more than simply a means to beautify the land—they are a key part of the solution to some of the biggest issues facing our planet.

That’s why Dormie Network, Dormie Network Foundation, and our community of members are proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to celebrate National Arbor Day—annually observed on the last Friday of April—the Foundation’s mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. In five decades, the Arbor Day Foundation has planted and distributed nearly 500 million trees in more than 50 countries.

Throughout 2022, Dormie Network Foundation asked members to join us in planting 100,000 trees. All donations were matched by Dormie Network Foundation, meaning your donation doubled in supporting our nation’s forests.

Thanks to all Dormie Network members who said YES to this campaign!

Longleaf pine

Two Reforestion Initiatives in North Carolina

When we asked for your help, just 5,000 trees remained in the Hoke Community Forest project, a mere 29 miles southeast of Dormie Club through Pinehurst. The forest provides a unique blend of conservation, recreation, and economic support for residents of Hoke County, and is currently made up of loblolly pine.

The Arbor Day Foundation helped North Carolina community members restore it to its native state by planting more than 43,000 longleaf pine seedlings in 2022 and 2023. These planting sites serve as an outdoor classroom for private landowners who wish to learn more about longleaf restoration, as well as protect endangered species.

But the problem is larger than just one forest. Once the dominant tree species in the South, longleaf pine has now dwindled to cover only small patches of land. That loss of ecosystem has been devastating to the nearly 600 animal and plant species that depend on it.

To sequester carbon dioxide and build healthier communities in one of our favorite areas to golf, the Arbor Day Foundation is helping replant more than 400,000 longleaf pine trees throughout North Carolina. These trees will be planted across 18 different private lands to reduce forest fragmentation.

The Planting in 2023

From December 3, 2022 through February 20, 2023, 34,000 longleaf pine trees were planted in the Hoke Community Forest in North Carolina. Dormie Network members and Dormie Network Foundation directly supported the planting of 5,208 trees in the project with a contribution of $100,000, which was completed in two phases.

The first was a community event that attracted over 100 participants, including 40 children—a unique opportunity for local youth to get involved in environmental efforts and learn about their natural surroundings! 

The second phase was completed by a crew of 15 professional tree planters, with the secondary planting also helping improve the wildlife habitat in this community forest to protect endangered and threatened species like the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and gopher tortoise.

Thank You for Saying YES to Arbor Day

Arbor Day started with a single Yes—a Yes to celebrating trees with a commitment to planting more for the good of the planet. Thanks to all the Yeses from partners like Dormie Network community, the Arbor Day Foundation will be planting its 500 millionth tree this year.

Trees and forests continue to be one of the most natural and effective ways to combat some of the planet’s most critical issues—thank you for making a difference!

Dormie Network Foundation is proud to help further the mission of the Arbor Day Foundation and other nonprofit organizations in the areas of youth golf, environmental initiatives, military / first responder organizations, and healthcare / humanitarian efforts. Learn more.