On Earth Day 2026, a powerful and unprecedented restoration effort will take root in Los Angeles County. One hundred at-risk youth from Watts and the Antelope Valley will help restore 165 acres of land devastated by the Station Fire in 2009—planting hundreds of seedlings cloned from some of the world’s oldest and largest ancient redwood trees.

For many of these young participants, the journey marks their first experience outside the city—offering a rare opportunity to engage in hands-on environmental restoration while taking part in a deeper process of social and personal healing. Together, they will help launch a multigenerational effort toward sustainability, grounded in both ecological renewal and community empowerment.

The initiative is led by Archangel Ancient Tree Archive, a Michigan-based nonprofit dedicated to reforesting the planet by cloning “Champion” trees—centuries-old redwoods, sequoias, and pines that capture carbon from the atmosphere twelve times faster and up to 6-thousand times more effectively than a typical tree. By introducing these ancient genetics to Los Angeles, the project represents a long-term, regenerative solution to ecological degradation. Among the trees being planted are direct clones and offspring of the Stag, Waterfall, and Fieldbrook champions—bringing millennia of resilience and genetic strength to the landscape.

“Reforestation efforts are important,” says David Milarch, Founder of AATA, “but they won’t cut it alone. We need to preserve and propagate the remaining champions before it is too late. We must reforest the planet with old-growth trees—for the children, grandchildren, and all life on our planet.”

The seedlings will be planted at Wolf Connection, a sanctuary nestled in the mountains above Los Angeles that provides refuge for abandoned and abused wolves and wolf dogs. The experience will be guided by the Guerrilla Community Movement (GCM), which will lead participating youth through an immersive Rite of Passage program—designed to support their transition into adulthood through mentorship, purpose, and healing.

“These projects are planting the seeds for larger community regeneration,” says Henry Park, Founder of GCM. “For us in LA, it means launching the first-ever citywide Rite of Passage program. As a kid who grew up in the inner city, it feels amazing to give back.”

Building on the international success of the 2025 “Treetroit” pilot, this initiative marks the first of four major projects planned for 2026—and the beginning of a broader effort to reforest the planet with “Champion” trees, widely regarded as one of nature’s most powerful tools for restoring the carbon cycle. Through a strategic partnership between Regenerative World Quest (RWQ) and AATA, the project aims to establish a scalable model for urban regeneration.

The initiative will expand to additional cities including Kentucky, Chicago, and New York, with each project rooted in old-growth forest restoration and designed to uplift and engage local youth.

“The ancient trees are a powerful nature-based solution to repairing the carbon cycle,” says Brenna St. Onge, founder of the Regenerative World Quest, AATA’s partner in the effort, “By integrating these “living ancestors” into urban landscapes, we create replicable systems of true wealth through both ecological and social healing.”