Every once in a while you come across an idea and you think to yourself, “now that’s a really, really, good idea.” That is the feeling I got when I stumbled upon Tree Nation. Tree Nation, a Spanish based company, wants to plant 8 million trees in the sub-Saharan, in the shape of a gigantic heart. And they are using an ingenious method to do so. Combining aspects of social networking, Sim games, and global Internet fundraising.

Tree nation has developed an ingenious tree mapping software that allows you to (using GPS) zoom to the spot where your tree is planted. The map interface reminds me of Sim city, and is very well done.

When you see each little square being filled up with trees, it adds to the feeling of accomplishment, and helps people stay focused on such a large goal. This same model, of asking people from all over the world to concentrate on one project a small bit at a time, could be re-used for a million good causes. I would love to see something like this where you (the “game player”) install solar panels and wind turbines in developing nations. In a way Tree Nation has created the most realistic online “game” ever. A game where the outcome of success is not just a level up, but the regeneration of a nation, and the improvement of real peoples lives.

You can plant several kinds of trees, the Acacia Senegal for 10 € the Ronier (palm) for 21 €, the Acacia Sieberiana for 24 € and the Baobab for 75 €. Once you plant your tree you will be given your own blog (they call them “trees”). You can use your blog to talk about your tree, or anything else that crosses your mind. From a marketing standpoint this is a great feature. Building a large community of people who share common interests is a great way to keep people coming back to the site, and helps to spread the word. More people = more trees planted, which presumably also equals more money for Tree Nation. I see nothing wrong with trying to make money off of the improvement of the planet, in fact I wish all business was based on this model. You can also give trees as a gift, much like the Heifer International people do now with animals.

To give you an idea of what they plan on accomplishing.

No small task, but it will be amazing to see when its done.

Some of the many benefits of planting trees:

• Stops Desertification
• Produce Fruits, Medicines, Alimentation
• The root system draws water to the surface
• Regenerate the soil
• Increases land’s productivity
• Improve Agricultural practices
• Fight Poverty
• Off-sets CO2 levels
• Counteract Climate Change
• Park as a meeting point and shelter
• Counteract Deforestation

If you would like to get involved with Tree Nation, you can go to the site and buy a tree, or they are hiring.