The Entrepreneurs’ Organization of Charlotte (EO Charlotte) takes a long view of Charlotte’s growth potential. Not only are they supporting the economics of the region through business development and innovation, but they are planting seeds for future sustainability and preservation of Charlotte’s beauty, literally.
If you grew up in Charlotte or have lived here for many years, you may take for granted all the trees the city has. Oaks, maples, elms, pines, cedars, dogwoods, pears and cherries are some of the many varieties we enjoy. These are important assets for Charlotte just like the airport, office towers and the interstates. Charlotte has grown from textiles to banking to a highly diversified metropolitan area of almost 2.4 million people. We lay claim to the largest urban tree canopy of any major city. However, with the rapid influx of people and jobs, there is a real threat that these assets will be diminished over time.
In 2011, Tree Charlotte, a public/private nonprofit, set a goal of increasing our urban canopy from 44% to 50% by the year 2050. This included a goal of planting 500,000 trees. EO Charlotte is supporting this aggressive goal, and EO member Patrick George is leading the charge.
George, founder of Heartwood Tree Service, is a volunteer leader with Tree Charlotte and has an optimist’s view. He paraphrased an Old Greek Proverb when he said, “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they will never sit.” Every business owner must be an optimist to believe their enterprise will succeed, and planting a tree requires the same optimism. George has been a member of the Charlotte Chapter of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) for almost 10 years and has enlisted the 100 members’ help in planting now for future generations.
Two of EO’s guiding values are “Together We Grow” and “Be Bold.” It was a natural fit with the Tree Charlotte cause. Working with George and Tree Charlotte to strategically plan for meeting the goal of 50 by 50, the business owners of EO Charlotte are putting their time and talent toward improving the city they call home.
There is a bit more depth to George’s story. Ten years ago, he lost his son. He has used his love of nature to help him heal from this unspeakable tragedy. He found a way to remember his son by planting trees in his honor and shared this idea with others so that they, too, could honor friends and family who are no longer with us. He often speaks of smiling as he passes trees he planted years ago, seeing them becoming part of the fabric of our city, and standing strong for those they honor.
You can learn more about upcoming tree planting opportunities at treescharlotte.org. In the meantime, if you want to know how important our tree canopy is, George suggests going for a walk down Queens Road West and then down South Boulevard. What a difference trees make.
To find out more about EO Charlotte, visit eocharlotte.org, or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
The Entrepreneurs' Organization (EO) is a global network of more than 15,000 successful entrepreneurs spanning 61 countries. EO is the world’s leading peer-to-peer entrepreneurial network, bringing together like-minded people to share their experiences, learn new paths for success, and travel the world to broaden their perspectives and growth.