Recap: [In-Person] India, July 29, Tree plantation - 9th birthday celebrations

[Globe_trotter_Ish]

Recently, we gathered to celebrate a major milestone—20 years of Google Maps —with a meet-up rooted in purpose: planting 20 trees, one for each year of helping people find their way. This meet-up was a part of @KashifMisidia 's post for celebrating 9 years of Connect !

We were joined by an amazing group of over 40 in-person volunteers, including children, and 15+ virtual attendees, all coming together to support a shared cause—giving back to the Earth. The tree saplings were sourced from a local nursery, and as part of supporting local businesses and celebrating this milestone meaningfully, I contributed 20 saplings to represent each year of Map’s journey.

This event was also part of my #GoGreenWithMaps meet-up series, which focuses on encouraging sustainable contributions on Google Maps—like mapping green spaces, promoting eco-friendly businesses, and creating awareness through community-driven initiatives.

After the plantation activity, I introduced the new attendees to the Local Guides Connect program and shared how our contributions—reviews, photos, tips—can have a positive impact and can help millions of users globally. It was also a special moment to recognize the 9th birthday of Local Guides Connect, which has played such a big role in building this wonderful global community.

We even had a short virtual session with fellow Local Guides, where we gave them a glimpse of the plantation drive and exchanged questions, stories, and experiences. It turned into a beautiful knowledge-sharing opportunity, full of positive energy and new connections. A big Thank you to all who attended !!!

What made the day truly special was seeing the enthusiasm of both in-person and virtual participants. Planting trees together reminded us that small, local actions can have a lasting, global impact—and that when we come together with purpose, we can help create a greener, better-connected world.

Thank you to everyone who joined us. Here’s to 20 years of exploration, 9 years of community, and many more steps toward sustainability. #gogreenwithmaps #20yearsofMaps #9yearsofConnect

[Globe_trotter_Ish]

A big thank you to all the attendees both Virtual and In-person !!! Thanks @KashifMisidia for the anniversary meetup series ! It was great to see the enthusiam of all attendees in supporting planting 20 trees for 20 years of Maps !!!

[NandKK]

Awaiting for RECAP

[SayliWalve]

It was short and sweet meetup over Google meet.
We connected over Google Meet for a brief session lasting about 10–15 minutes, as it was raining. The host @Globe_trotter_Ish was busy in tree planting activities. She shared her vision of organizing a plantation drive at Urbania Farm in collaboration with the Green Initiative NGO.
I really appreciated the idea of donating plants for such a meaningful cause, all local species were used. Due to the rain, we had to wrap up the meetup earlier than planned.

[Globe_trotter_Ish]

Thank you for the attendee recap dear @SayliWalve ! It was so nice having you all attending virtually too ! Tagging other virtual attendees too - @Shrut19 @AjitThite @KetanChhaniyara @shaileno @PrinceKumar @Praniketmore @Gurukrishnapriya @RJSheetal @SharmaK @NareshDarji . Please tag other attendees if I have missed any !

[Globe_trotter_Ish]

Thanks @NandKK ! The recap is here !

[Gurukrishnapriya]

A very good initiative @Globe_trotter_Ish , though a short meetup it gives a powerful message for safeguarding our environment. Thanks for the initiative.

[RJSheetal]

@Globe_trotter_Ish Thanks for organizing this meet up , got a chance to know other fellow LGs through this meeting

[AjitThite]

It was enjoyable, and we all appreciated the small gesture of gratitude by planting a few trees for Mother Earth.
Well done! @Globe_trotter_Ish .

Cheers!

[NareshDarji]

Kudos to you, @Globe_trotter_Ish, for organizing such a heartwarming and impactful meet-up.

[KashifMisidia]

It’s looks like a wonderful event @Globe_trotter_Ish and it’s reminds a meetup in Karachi, where we convert a place, from a plain land to a park.

I want to congratulates everyone who participated in such a fruitful event.

[KetanChhaniyara]

Really enjoyed it @Globe_trotter_Ish ! Kudos to you for this plantation drive. Keep it up.

[SharmaK]

Thank you @Globe_trotter_Ish for hosting such a wonderful celebration of 20 years of Google Maps and 9 years of Connect . Planting 20 trees to mark this milestone was truly inspiring!

I was glad to join virtually and really enjoyed being part of this meaningful initiative. Even though I wasn’t there in person, it was great to connect, share the spirit of sustainability, and witness the positive energy of everyone involved.

Kudos to you and all the attendees for making this event so impactful. Together we are proving that small actions can create a big difference .

Happy Guiding!

[Globe_trotter_Ish]

Thank you all for attending and sharing your kind words ! If each of us do our bit for the Mother Earth , together we can have a greater impact!