Operation Green Leaves was founded in 1991 by a group of people, Haitians and Americans, who wanted to answer a call by the late Jacques Cousteau in his video “Haiti Water of Sorrow,” to save the island from ecological and environmental peril.

Haitians have been cutting trees for centuries to make charcoal, the most frequently used source of energy in Haiti. As a result, we have erosion which washes away the top soil into the Caribbean sea, choking the marine life. Most of the poor in the affected areas are struggling everyday to make it to the next day, therefore they have no concept of the relationship between their own lives and the natural world.

Nothing awakens the environmental connection more than personal experiences. Environmental education and hands-on training is a key component of our programs. OGL has donated more than 100,000 seedlings to Haiti for the Pine Forest through the Ministry of the Environment, as well as provided seeds and seedlings for its other partner communities throughout Haiti.

OGL has served as an umbrella organization, forming community partnerships in 10 different areas of the island of Haiti.
In South Florida, OGL has organized tree planting activities , neighborhood beautification projects and beach clean-ups.
In addition, OGL has formed partnerships in 25 schools in South Florida for programs that include teacher training workshops on environmental education, water conservation, pollution prevention, gardening and solar technology.

For a list of Accomplishments, click on the About page.