Sometimes, the biggest impact starts with a single idea. In 2015, Rotarian Najeeb Syed shared a simple concept with Rotary International: “Every Rotarian should plant one tree.” Though the initiative didn’t launch immediately, it inspired the “One Tree, One Rotarian” movement that would later see millions of trees planted worldwide.
At the Rotary Club of St. Catharines South, we love celebrating the quiet, powerful ways our members help shape Rotary. One of those stories began right here in our club—with fellow Rotarian Najeeb Syed.
Back in 2015, long before Rotary officially recognized the environment as an Area of Focus, Najeeb shared a simple idea with the incoming Rotary International President from Sri Lanka:
“Every Rotarian should plant one tree.”
He presented the full concept—One Tree, One Rotarian—as a way for all 1.2+ million Rotarians to take meaningful, measurable environmental action. The President loved it, but with the global push to end polio still at the forefront, he couldn’t launch a new worldwide initiative at that time.
And so, the idea was set aside. But big ideas don’t disappear—they just wait for their moment.
The Moment Arrives (2017–18)
Two years later, Rotary International President Ian H.S. Riseley announced a challenge that sounded very familiar to us: “I’m asking every Rotary club to plant one tree for every Rotarian." Suddenly, the idea took off. Clubs around the world planted trees in parks, schools, hospitals, wetlands—you name it. By the end of the year, 3.5 million trees were planted and recorded globally. Environmental action officially took root in Rotary’s DNA.
Proud Local Roots
While the world was responding, Najeeb continued quietly leading by example. He planted 280 trees himself (recording only 80, because impact mattered more than recognition).
At the Rotary International Convention in Atlanta, he and our club were acknowledged by ESRAG for helping spark the movement early on. It was a proud moment—not just for Najeeb, but for our whole club.
A Legacy That Started Here
Today, when Rotarians talk about environmental service or recall the “tree year,” we can smile knowing a piece of that legacy started with one of our own. One idea. Shared from St. Catharines South. Now rooted in communities around the world.
As a new Rotarian, I’m inspired by stories like this—reminders that Rotary’s impact often starts with one member, one conversation, and one simple idea that grows farther than we ever imagined.
