Soil Compacting with Google in Bemowo Forest in Warsaw on June 11 2025
Soil Compacting with Google in Bemowo Forest in Warsaw on June 11 2025
On June 11, 2025, the One More Tree Foundation organized another ecological event — this time in Bemowo Forest in Warsaw. The event was joined by employees of Google, who took part in a very important activity as part of their employee volunteering program — compacting the soil around young tree saplings. A total of 26 people came together to ensure that the previously planted trees had the best possible conditions to grow and take root.
Why is soil compacting so important?
While it may not seem like the most exciting task, compacting soil plays a crucial role in helping saplings take root. By pressing the soil firmly around the roots, the young tree gains stability, and air pockets that could prevent water and nutrients from being absorbed are eliminated. It’s a simple but highly effective way to increase the chances of young trees growing strong and healthy.
Participants approached the task with great care — step by step, circling each sapling and gently “hugging” it into the ground. This physical connection with nature also became a moment of reflection and symbolic impact — not just on the forest path, but in broader environmental action.
Closer to nature, closer to each other
Time spent in the forest wasn’t just about environmental action — it was also a moment to pause and reset. Being close to nature has proven benefits for our well-being: it reduces stress, boosts mood, and increases mindfulness. For many participants, this was the first time in a while they could stop and truly listen to birdsong, smell the forest, and simply be present. This kind of shared experience away from daily duties not only helps the environment, but brings people closer together.
Employee volunteering in practice
The event in Bemowo Forest was a perfect example of employee volunteering in action. Google employees, usually immersed in the digital world, had the opportunity to engage in an activity with real environmental impact. Away from screens and city noise, working together in the open air not only helped bond the team, but also built a sense of agency and influence on the world around them.
It’s also a form of CSR that delivers on multiple levels — ecologically, socially, and emotionally. Coming together for the good of the planet creates new experiences and memories that last long after the event ends.
Thank you for your commitment!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the Google volunteers for their energy, time, and openness. Thanks to you, Bemowo Forest received a new wave of care, and once again we were reminded that we truly can achieve more together.
This event proved that each of us can contribute something good — all it takes is the will to act, a few hours in nature, and a group of people who care. See you at the next event!
