As Chair of the environmental charity, Trees for Cities, trees are very close to my heart and I am encouraged by some recent good news stories for trees.  According to the Brazilian environment agency, deforestation in the Amazon rainforest fell dramatically last year due to to the increased use of satellite data to spot the felling of trees and  more sophisticated tactics to deter loggers.  Closer to home the Coalition Government has announced its intention to launch a national tree planting programme, and in the capital increasing London’s tree cover is a key element of Mayor Boris Johnson’s environmental strategy for a greener London.  At Green Rewards we are pleased to include various tree-themed gifts and rewards from two of the UK’s leading tree charities, The Woodland Trust and Trees for Cities, and personally I was honored to write the introduction for a wonderful new book “The Great Trees of London” which was recently published by Time Out and is available in our books section.  I am also in training for the London “Tree-Athlon” which is happening in Battersea Park on Saturday 18 September and I would urge everyone to get involved as it’s a really fun event with a 5k race, an opportunity to share your tree wish and to plant a sapling (with Manchester’s “Tree-Athlon” taking place in Heaton Park on Sunday 2 October).  We will shortly be launching new functionality on our site, Group Accounts for Schools and Charities, which will enable people to donate all or some of their Green Points directly into specific accounts set up by schools and charities – this will help to raise support for good causes and if you know of a school or charity that would like to be involved do please put them in touch with us.