About One Earth One Chance
One Earth One Chance (OEOC) is a registered 501(c)(3) environmental nonprofit organization (EIN 83-4369288) headquartered in Parker, Texas. We were founded in 2019 to respond to human-caused climate change - the biggest threat of this century (per Lancet Commission). We wish to raise awareness about ecological issues, engage citizens in collective action against climate change, and help conserve the natural resources in Texas for future generations. The work became more urgent after windstorms, tornadoes and arctic blasts caused widespread damage to the tree canopy in Dallas in recent years.
Indicators of climate change are all around us: Glaciers are melting, oceans are rising and forests are on fire. DFW is the 3rd U.S. city with growing urban heat islands and disadvantaged areas are +12ºF hotter than other areas. The health of our environment is closely tied to the health of our communities and a proper balance is needed between humans and nature. Forests cleared for food and housing results in biodiversity loss that includes desertification and endangerment of habitats, flora and fauna. The growing need for resources is depleting them faster than they are being replenished. Water, soil, and air are being polluted through unethical practices. All this in turn triggers the multiplier effect of poverty, disease, extreme weather, wildfires, disasters, food and water shortage, that affects all species.
One Earth One Chance Introduction Video
Our activities in DFW focus on certification programs, youth conferences and entrepreneurship competitions, community cleanups, forestation and restoration. Volunteers and supporters work together to plan and execute local programs, coordinate outreach efforts, and create measurable impact. We know that urban forestation is a proven safeguard with annual benefits of $11.7B (USDA) from energy and water saved, and pollutants removed, and sustainability education is fundamental to drive impactful change. We serve local high school and college students, underserved communities, and individual eco-citizens. Our values are to respect the dignity and diversity of our natural environment and society, engage people to connect with nature, empower them through education and enable them to take climate action.
2026 Goals and Cumulative Impact
Implement grassroots initiatives and tangible actions that mitigate climate change, contribute to the health of our planet, and build resiliency in the community:
Green: We are expanding forests and restoring prairie and wetland spaces in the DFW area. By planting native trees and pollinators and removing invasive species, we aim to combat key environmental issues, including biodiversity and canopy loss, air pollution, rainwater runoff and heat islands. In collaboration with municipalities, we target economically disadvantaged schools and neighborhoods to install or giveaway 400+ trees and plants yearly.
This is to offset forest clearance for agriculture and housing, and fossil fuel use from transportation and manufacturing.
Clean: Conduct 12 litter cleanups yearly in adopted parks to encourage stewardship to preserve our natural resources. We are leveraging partnerships to bring awareness about responsible interaction with the planet and share pointers for waste reduction, recycling/composting, clean energy, air quality, and water conservation. We engage eco-minded youth and community members through “artreach”, tabling, and Earth Bazaar that promote green products and services.
This is to reverse loss of ecosystems, caused by rapid consumption and a culture of convenience that creates single-use pollution.
Sustain: We have partnered with the University of Texas, Dallas, Naveen Jindal School of Management, to deliver micro-learning webinars, professional workshops yielding 150 certifications yearly, climate conferences, entrepreneurship competitions and social media posts on environmental topics. This enables youth to prepare for green jobs, and empowers them to use research, innovation and technology for environmental solutions, thereby fostering a circular economy.
This is to counter linear “Take-Make-Waste” models, irresponsible production practices, and a growing sustainability skills gap.
Over the years, we have successfully executed various projects and events that have significantly impacted our local environment, such as planting trees and pollinators to preserve, reforest and restore green spaces, fostering community involvement, removing waste through litter cleanups, and spreading awareness about sustainable living. We have raised $333K to date from grassroots fundraising, to conduct 8,500 native plantings with irrigation, to reforest urban heat islands. This has served to expand tree canopy by 12.8M sq ft, mitigating extreme temperatures for 430K residents that live near the 55 planting locations next to parks, schools, streets, and creeks. This has also improved environmental and public health by removing 153M lbs of CO2 emissions and 432K lbs of air pollutants and saved 83M gallons of rainwater from runoff. We have conducted 214 community engagement events, covering 20.5K volunteer hours, including tree plantings, litter cleanups and eco-literacy workshops.
Creating an environmentally conscious society starts with change management. What makes our approach unique is the application of the “ACT” principles of change management by showing commitment through investments in tree planting, creating awareness through hands-on cleanup events and delivering training that leverages the latest research. We provide a blueprint for individuals and organizations to journey to sustainability:
Engage: Drive thought leadership in climate change and its implications for Texas. Inspire the next generation of youth change makers.Join hand-on volunteer events and measure impact using research.
Empower: Outreach to universities to build “train-the-trainer” to deliver instruction. Outreach to community organizations seeking education. Outreach to businesses to find mentors and sponsors.
Enable: Host workshops and entrepreneurship competitions. Help students to innovate and find career and networking opportunities. Develop an AI-driven technology platform for community adoption.
