Phone Tree

An early BAA initiative, the Phone Tree was a network of volunteers who could spread information on environmental issues of immediate concern.

Members of the tree were informed of a specific action — be it letter-writing, a public hearing, or an environmental gathering — then they passed the word on to others via telephone. This was was a time before smartphones and most people didn’t have email yet, but using the phone tree, information could be relayed quickly and efficiently, leading to rapid action on a variety of issues.