Dear AIC volunteers,
We would like to share some news from the AIC tree-planting campaign:
In the United States, AIC volunteers from Central Alabama planted a dogwood tree near St. Francis Xavier Parish in Birmingham, Alabama, in May 2026, where they hold their monthly meetings. Their intention is to ‘honor God’s creation and serve future generations’.
In Mexico, AIC volunteers from the Anawim Vincentian Centre in Durango planted trees around a football pitch, in partnership with the Doctor Simi Foundation and an association for people with visual impairments. During a ‘Reforestation Day’, volunteers, children playing for the ‘Vicentinos Anawim’ football team and their parents planted oak, guava and pine trees. This was an opportunity to take concrete action for the planet and raise awareness among participants.
Many of you have taken part in the AIC tree planting campaign since 2024, and we want to thank you for that. Volunteers have a key role in promoting sustainable development: all of us can help build a better future! To celebrate this, the United Nations have designated 2026 as the “International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development”. Through the tree-planting campaign in particular, we have been doing our share as AIC volunteers for several years now.
At the International Secretariat, we are currently preparing an overview of the results of the second year of tree planting for the website, to be published in September 2026. Please do not hesitate to share photos, videos and information about your tree-planting activities with the Secretariat (info@aic-international.org) by 25th August 2026, so that we can showcase your activities in the upcoming publication.
You could, for example, take photos or videos of:
- People planting trees, or taking care of them (watering, weeding, etc.)
- The growth of trees: If you have taken part in the campaign since 2024, please do share new photos or videos with us! We would love to hear how your trees are doing.
Want to join the campaign? Anyone can take part! When preparing to plant, make sure you choose the best time of year for planting in your area and tree species adapted to the local climate.
Looking forward to hearing from you,
Tayde de Callataÿ | International President
Lisette Maillet | Coordinator of the Sustainable Development working group
Bénédicte de Bellefroid | General Manager
AIC International Secretariat