The Process of the Czech Tree of the Year Contest

Our contest lasts for a year starting in spring. These are the stages:

1/ Tree nominations
2/ Choosing of the 12 finalists and their documentation
3/ Public election process
4/ Ceremonial winner announcement during the Concert for Trees
5/ Special treatment for the winning tree

1/ Tree Nominations (March - May)

* Everybody can nominate their favourite trees - individual members of the public, families, municipalities, associations, schools, companies or any other organisations and institutions.
* The Foundation collects all the nominations
*Every nomination should include

•  The story of the tree (either a myth or a legend, historical data or somebody's testimony)
• A picture or a photograph of the tree
• Description of the location of the tree (street, town, region)
• Species of the tree
• The age, the perimeter in the height of 1,3 m above the ground, and the full height of the tree

The Foundation accepts the nominations both hard and soft copies till the end of May.

2/ Choosing the 12 Finalists and their Documentation (June - July)

12 finalists are chosen by a jury consisting of specialists in the field by mid June.
Criteria according to their importance are:

* The story of the tree
* What the tree means for the place, municipality, person/people who nominated it
* The number of people who sent the nomination
* The features of the tree and the tree species

We try to choose the finalists from all the regions of the Czech Republic so that the biggest amount of people can participate during the election process.
During the end of June and beginning of July we document the trees, their pictures and meet the people that sent the nominations. These materials are then used in the media during the election process.
The winning tree is chosen by the general public.

There is a also special category 'The Tree Hero'. The Tree Hero title is given to trees that are seriously in danger owing to human activities like construction, transport, emissions or chopping down.

3/ Public Election Process (August - October)

The election process takes place from August till the beginning of October. Public can support 'their' tree either by sending a donors SMS - so called DMS (a system of mobile text messages by which the sender donates a certain amount to a NGO) or signing on a polling sheet.
The current scores of the trees are regularly published on the website of the Foundation. However, for the last 7 days, the voting is secret and the winner is first revealed during a ceremony and a concert.

4/ Concert for Trees and the Winner Announcement (October)

The ceremonial winner announcement is organized as a part of the 'Concert for Trees'. The concert is a part of a re-newed tradition of the Tree Day, which is celebrated on 20th October in the Czech Republic. Those who nominated the first three trees are given symbolic prizes. The winning tree is given a special treatment voucher.

5/ Special Treatment of the Winning Tree (spring the following year)

The prize for the winner is a special treatment for full-grown trees and the surroundings the coming spring. If the tree is healthy, the resources are used to plant young trees. This is usually a very important event for the community which supported the tree during voting.

Why joining the European Tree of the Year Project?

Taking part in the project can bring genuine, long-term benefits for the work in your organisation. This established programme has been working very well for over eight years in the Czech Republic. By joining it in partnership with the Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation (CEPF) you will have a unique opportunity to build a strategic relationship and spread your significance on both national and European level.
Organizations involved in the contest make a crucial contribution to environmental awareness using a very positive approach while enjoying the benefits of an association with emerging respected European contest and wide range of support and know-how from CEPF.

Benefits to your Organization

Creating a unique relationship

Only one NGO can organize the national level of the Tree of the Year contest in one country and thus become a part of the emerging project on the European level. Since CEPF have wide experience in organizing this contest, we are more that prepared to help you start it in your country as well. If you become our partner, you can be confident that your involvement will make a real difference.

Together we will create a network, exchange experience and build partnership – every organisation is different and we can learn from each other.

Use a simple example to tackle a difficult question

Biodiversity and most of the environmental issues in general are quite difficult to communicate with general public. The Tree of the Year is a simple example how to effectively address communities, make them interested in environment and drag their members in the action.

Co-operation and pan-European awareness

Partnering with the Czech Environmental Partnership Foundation can enhance your international connections. Environmental cooperation is not limited by borders. Activities on a greater then domestic scale can be an exceptional way to exchange ideas, network, and build lasting positive relationships and increase the importance of your organisation. It will also enlarge your international recognition.

Get media attention

Participation in the contest will ensure you more media interest. Raising awareness of your organization on your national level and later beyond it will help you promote your other projects as well. Using a contest based on positive examples will be good for your media presentation.

Benefits to the Communities:

Better relations –The contest has proven experience in managing innovative and successful cooperation. Bringing schools, local organizations and their representatives, non-profit organizations as well as business companies together, it gives them opportunity to create long-lasting partnership and cooperation. Moreover, locally known tree is a good initial point to develop any community.