“A Tree For Nuñez” Initiative Takes Place Around the World

On April 20^th, 2018, The Antonio Núñez Jiménez Foundation of Nature and Humankind (FANJ) called for people worldwide to plant “A Tree for Núñez,” an initiative that took place in all parts of the world to celebrate the 95th birthday of Antonio Núñez Jiménez, and the 30th anniversary of the expedition he undertook “In A Canoe from the Amazon to the Caribbean.”  The Antonio Nunez Jimenez Foundation planted their trees in the Monte Barreto Park, in the county of Miramar, a space in which FANJ has had a long history and commitment to the environment.

To honor the legendary journey Nuñez undertook as one of the most important explorers of the twentieth century, a large number of people from all

over the world who share the common goal of creating a sustainable future took part in this symbolic act of planting a tree. Thirty years ago, the expedition he led contributed to a regional focus on Carribean and preservation of its natural resources and cultrual heritage.  Núñez is recognized as an early leader of environmental protection in Latin America and the Caribbean, and his work has a renewed relevance as a catalyst to achieve harmony between society and the environment.  Photographs of the plantings were received from places like Angola, Pennsylvania, and the Dominican Republic.

The Baum Foundation was delighted when our intern Olivia Bergin took on the initiative to plant “A Tree for Nuñez” which she organized at her high school, The Bay School in the Presidio of San Francisco. Olivia showed her passion and diligence for accomplishing  this goal which was made especially difficult because the school is located on federal grounds in the City of San Francisco.  Olivia had to work through

numerous rounds of permissions and approval as it required her to communicate with many different entities at the high school including the school’s faculty, grounds managers, the dean of students and the chief financial and operations officer in order to secure a location and the appropriate permits for the planting.

Olivia was granted permission to plant a a beautiful Catalina Ironwood  on an 11” by 5” plot in a prime location in front of the school. Olivia selected a Catalina Ironwood, a tree native to San Francisco’s famous national landmark The Presidio, thus honoring both Nuñez as well as the local environment.

Baum Foundation President Glenn Bucksbaum was on hand for the planting of the tree and was deeply inspired that the youth group she organized to plant showed in support of her planning efforts.  “The tree that Olivia selected was an excellent choice, both elegant and historical.  Olivia showed true tenacity going through a lot of stages of approval to make it happen”, said Glenn Bucksbaum.  In reflecting on this experience, Olivia Bergin shared,  “Getting approval for the tree planting allowed me to learn patience and consideration for the many decisions that sometimes need to be made in order to do something symbolic like this. I will always have fond memories of the tree planting and look forward to visiting the tree throughout my life and after I graduate from college.  This Baum Foundation project presented a perfect opportunity for me to do something good so that I am later able to reflect on how much the tree has changed over the years.”

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