Tree IS Planted

CISI will plant a tree for each student we have served.
Let’s join hands and build hope.

In 2022, Carnegie International Student Institute (CISI) announced a new initiative: to plant one tree for every international student they serve, in response to the World Economic Forum’s ambitious goal of conserving, restoring, and growing one trillion trees. This initiative not only reflects CISI’s commitment to supporting the education and development of international students, but also demonstrates its positive contribution to environmental protection.

Talent is like a tree—it can only thrive and give back to the world in a nurturing environment. Just as trees provide oxygen, shade, and beauty, international students bring diversity, knowledge, and fresh perspectives to the countries where they study and work. By planting a tree for each international student, CISI aims to symbolize their dreams and hopes, as well as their ability to take root and grow in a new environment.

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Blessing of the Tree

Trees epitomize wisdom, resilience and growth. Talent is like a tree, deeply rooted and ever growing. It takes ten years to nurture a tree, but a hundred years to train a man. Our Tree IS Planted project hopes that the international students dig deep roots while their branches sway up into the sky. Let’s harness the power of trees through reforestation.

Hosting Biodiversity

Covering almost a third of the Earth’s surface, forests are home to 80% of animals and plants. Over 1.6 billion peoples’ livelihoods depend on forests. Yet, 420 million hectares have been lost since 1990. Our Tree IS Planted project aims to help the environment, benefit local communities and increase habitats for species of the world by planting trees.

Combating Climate Change

Forests act as “carbon sinks”, trapping and storing harmful greenhouse gas emissions. NASA estimates that tropical forests absorb 1.4 billion tonnes of CO2 every year, while a study in 2017 estimated that forests would absorb a third of the atmospheric carbon needed to keep global warming below 2°C by 2030. Want to beat the heat? Plant a tree with us.

Healing Powers of Trees

Just being among trees is good for our wellbeing. It’s impossible to ignore the peace and joy you get while walking through a calm, quiet forest. As minimal as two 40-minute sessions per week in the urban forest can help to prevent mild depression. Trees help reduce stress and anxiety, and allow us to reconnect with nature. Explore your urban forest for health.

One Trillion Trees

The World Economic Forum has launched an initiative to conserve, restore and grow 1 trillion trees to help mitigate climate change. Research has shown the importance of nature-based solutions, such as conservation, restoration and reforestation, in combating climate change and biodiversity loss. Protecting and restoring forests has never been more urgent.

Pray for Success

Praying for the blessing and guidance of the gods will bring blessings and luck to international students. But what is more important is to have firmer beliefs, a more peaceful state of mind and more positive actions, so as to be able to achieve the ultimate goal in a foreign country.

The Carnegie International Student Institute (CISI), in collaboration with the environmental organization Tree Pittsburgh, successfully held a community tree-planting event in the Morningside neighborhood of Pittsburgh. International student volunteers from CISI worked side by side with local residents, planting multiple trees under the guidance of a professional forestry team and adding new greenery to the community.

During the event, volunteers learned about the importance of urban forestry, proper tree care, and how everyday actions can support sustainable development. Many participants shared that planting a tree with their own hands gave them a deeper sense of connection to the local community and a stronger appreciation for giving back to the city’s environment.

CISI has long been committed to helping international students better integrate into American society and encourages them to serve local communities through public-interest initiatives. This collaboration with Tree Pittsburgh and the Morningside community not only contributed to environmental improvement, but also created a platform for meaningful interaction between international students and local residents, laying the foundation for more diverse forms of community engagement in the future.

November 11, 2025

At the heart of the Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) campus, the Carnegie International Student Institute (CISI) has officially planted an “H1B Wish Tree,” a symbol of hope and growth, to offer enduring blessings to international students striving to build their futures in the United States.

Standing approximately 14 feet tall, the tree is an American elm — Ulmus americana ‘Princeton Elm Tree.’ It is planted near The Fence, one of CMU’s most iconic campus landmarks. Long regarded as a space for free expression and community connection, The Fence represents the spirit of student voices and shared identity on the Pittsburgh campus. By choosing this location, CISI hopes to weave the stories of international students’ perseverance into the fabric of campus culture, making their academic and professional journeys more visible and recognized.

The “H1B Wish Tree” symbolizes international students putting down roots, growing, and ultimately flourishing in their studies, careers, and lives in the United States. Through this symbolic initiative, CISI aims to provide emotional companionship and spiritual support to students preparing for OPT, H1B applications, and long-term career planning. Looking ahead, CISI plans to host sharing sessions, wish-making activities, and career development discussions centered around the tree, allowing this small patch of greenery to become a warm and meaningful link between the campus, the local community, and international students.

August 8, 2025

Carnegie International Students Institute (CISI) Supports Winchester Thurston School (WT) Spring Fling Green Initiative

On May 9, 2025, Winchester Thurston School hosted its annual Spring Fling celebration. Organized by the school’s Family Association, this free event welcomed all WT families and featured class booths, raffle baskets, and fun activities for all ages, creating a vibrant community atmosphere filled with WT spirit.

As one of the highlights of the event, CISI, through its key environmental project Tree-IS-Planted, donated 25 free 6-foot trees at the Green Team booth, encouraging families to embrace green living and promoting values of sustainability and environmental awareness.

“Our mission is not only to support the growth of international students but also to create positive and lasting impacts within our communities. Through the Tree-IS-Planted project, we hope these trees will help families build a deeper connection with nature and join us in protecting the environment.”

May 9, 2025

Despite the light rain and cool weather, volunteers showed up with full enthusiasm. Thanks to CISI’s sponsorship, 50 tree saplings have now taken root in South Side Park!

This event was co-hosted by Tree Pittsburgh, Friends of South Side Park (FOSSP), and CISI, with amazing support from the Student Conservation Association, Sigma Alpha Epsilon Duquesne Chapter, Western PA Girl Scouts, University of Pittsburgh Alpha Delta Pi, and many community volunteers.

Planting these trees means more than just greenery—it’s about protecting nature, strengthening community ties, and building a better future. Thank you to everyone who made it possible!

April 5, 2025

Carnegie International Student Institute (CISI) has officially signed an agreement with the local nonprofit organization Tree Pittsburgh. CISI will sponsor the organization’s goal of planting 100 trees by 2025. The trees will be planted in two batches, scheduled for April and October 2025, in the southern part of Pittsburgh.

Tree Pittsburgh is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to restoring and protecting urban forests through tree planting and care, education, advocacy, and land conservation. Their mission is to strengthen and build vibrant communities through environmental action.

March 3, 2025

Our “Tree IS Planted” initiative has received a major boost—Home Depot has officially approved our tax-exempt status for tree sapling purchases. This partnership significantly advances the implementation of our project, allowing us to procure 50 fruit and ornamental trees to be gifted to nearly 40 households in Pittsburgh’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood. These trees serve as symbols of the growth and hope of international students.

This initiative not only raised environmental awareness within the local community but also further strengthened CISI’s commitment to sustainability. It is worth celebrating that, with this tree-planting event, our total number of trees planted across the U.S. is about to surpass 450—a major milestone for the “Tree IS Planted” program.

We extend our special thanks to the team at Home Depot East Liberty #4136. Their support and assistance made this event possible and contributed to creating a greener and better community.

October 28, 2024

Carnegie International Student Institute (CISI), in collaboration with the local nonprofit Tree Pittsburgh, launched a meaningful tree-planting initiative at the reforestation site along Gold Way on Melwood Avenue. This event not only brought new greenery to Pittsburgh’s urban landscape but also symbolized a strong commitment to sustainable community development. Volunteers worked hand in hand to plant 30 pine trees, marking an important step toward eliminating invasive species and restoring ecological balance.

This effort is not just about adding green to our environment—it’s about planting seeds of hope for our shared future. Through this collaboration, we have contributed to the ecological restoration of the local community while showcasing the powerful potential and sense of responsibility that international students bring.

CISI and Tree Pittsburgh have also reached an extended partnership agreement: CISI will sponsor Tree Pittsburgh’s goal of planting 100 trees in 2025. This long-term commitment will bring lasting environmental benefits to Pittsburgh and further improve the quality of life for local residents.

October 19, 2024

On March 3, 2024, we advanced the “Tree IS Planted” initiative in the Silicon Valley area. During the Spring Fair organized by “Zai Ge Zai Gu,” we gifted tree saplings to nearly 30 families, each representing a blessing for international students. This event not only raised environmental awareness within the local community but also helped CISI move closer to a significant milestone—approaching a total of 400 trees planted nationwide through the “Tree IS Planted” program.

We extend special thanks to Zai Ge Zai Gu, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parent-led organization. Rooted in a spirit of joy, friendship, and personal growth, the community is primarily supported by Chinese professionals in Silicon Valley’s high-tech sector and uses arts and cultural events as its core platform. Originating from an internal Chinese New Year gala at Google in 2015, Zai Ge Zai Gu officially became an independent nonprofit organization in 2017, now serving the greater Silicon Valley and San Francisco Bay Area.

March 3, 2024

Carnegie International Student Institute brought its tree-planting initiative to Lila Bringhurst Elementary School in Fremont, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. A total of 30 tree saplings were donated through this tree adoption event, specifically for teachers, administrators, and parent volunteers from the Chinese Immersion Parent Committee (CIPCF) who have worked hard and contributed to the Mandarin Immersion Program in the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD).

The teachers were delighted to receive the saplings, and the children enthusiastically greeted CISI volunteers, asked about the event, and even requested to take photos with the trees. As in past events, the families took the trees home to plant them in their backyards.

This marks CISI’s second tree adoption event in partnership with the Fremont Unified School District and the greater Bay Area, following a similar event held in the winter of 2023.

February 29, 2024

At the end of 2023, we launched the “Tree IS Planted” initiative in the western United States for the first time. In the Fremont Unified School District (FUSD), CISI collaborated with local Chinese families to distribute 50 tree saplings. This event not only raised environmental awareness within the community but also marked a significant milestone—bringing the total number of trees planted through the “Tree IS Planted” project across the U.S. to 300.

Special thanks go to the Chinese Immersion Parent Committee of Fremont (CIPCF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit parent-led organization that supports the Mandarin Immersion Program (MIP) in Fremont’s public schools. Independent of FUSD, CIPCF is a volunteer-driven group dedicated solely to promoting, advancing, and supporting Mandarin immersion education within the district.

December 17, 2023

Carnegie International Student Institute (CISI), in partnership with architecture giant Smith Group and the nonprofit Pittsburgh Park Conservancy, planted a total of 75 valuable tree saplings at Clayton Hill in Pittsburgh’s Frick Park. The selected species included American hornbeam, Eastern redbud, witch hazel, magnolia, American elderberry, and snowberry.

The Pittsburgh Park Conservancy has long been dedicated to restoring the ecological health of Pittsburgh’s major parks, enhancing biodiversity, and revitalizing the city’s tree canopy.

The carefully chosen trees planted during this event will play a vital role in supporting the ecological health of Frick Park and mitigating soil erosion on the slopes of Clayton Hill. Much like the meaningful contributions and benefits brought by international students, these trees are essential to the long-term vitality and growth of the community.

October 6, 2023

At the 2023 Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival held in the fall, CISI distributed 50 fruit and ornamental trees to local residents and shared the story and mission behind the “Tree IS Planted” initiative. The recipients promised to care for the saplings thoughtfully and offered their blessings for all Chinese international students.

Special thanks go to the organizer of this year’s Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival—the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center! Since its founding, the organization has been dedicated to raising awareness of Chinese culture, promoting cultural diversity, and helping Chinese immigrants integrate into the Pittsburgh community. The Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Festival is the largest annual event for the local Chinese community, offering a space to gather and celebrate their contributions to the city’s growth and prosperity.

September 16, 2023

This was the very first on-the-ground event since the launch of the “Tree IS Planted” initiative. CISI mobilized 85 local families through its WeChat community in Pittsburgh to participate in the project. With the help of several volunteers, fruit trees—including varieties such as apple, plum, yellow peach, and cherry—were delivered to all participants.

Most of these families are of Chinese heritage, and many of them once walked the same path as international students. They understand the challenges deeply and, as those who’ve been through it, offer heartfelt blessings to the next generation—wishing them good luck in the H-1B lottery! Together, we look forward to seeing both international students and these fruit trees take root and thrive on this fertile land.

September 20, 2022

Thank you to everyone who participated in the Tree-IS-Planted project, and thank you for your well wishes for the future of international students and your contributions to improving the ecological environment. Also, a big thank you to Esri ArcGIS and the CMU School of Architecture for their support with geographic information technology, which makes this project better presented to society.