In Berlin, a novel app called Gieß den Kiez, or "Water Your Neighborhood," invites residents to become digital guardians of the city's urban forest by notifying them in real time when nearby trees are thirsty and need watering.
- App maps nearly one million Berlin trees for adoption and care
- Users receive alerts when it’s time to water their adopted trees
- Open-source platform expanding to other cities like Paris and Leipzig
What happened
The Gieß den Kiez project launched in Berlin to empower local residents to care for street trees by providing a digital platform showing which trees need watering. Using a combination of weather conditions, tree species, age, and location data, the app sends real-time alerts when a tree’s moisture levels are low.
Since its introduction, more than 12,000 people have adopted trees through the app, turning a simple act of watering into a community effort. The concept has also spread to other German cities and one district in Paris, demonstrating the model's appeal and scalability.
Why it feels good
Many users describe the experience as engaging and rewarding, likening tree care to nurturing a pet. The app removes uncertainty about when or where to water, encouraging responsibility and steady participation in environmental stewardship.
Beyond the environmental impact, the app fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, especially during times when people often feel isolated. It gives neighbors a simple, positive way to connect with nature and each other while contributing to climate resilience.
What to enjoy or watch next
Look forward to new features planned by the Gieß den Kiez developers, including improved navigation to watering points, personalized tree care routes, and better data visualization to help users track their positive impact.
As urban heat waves intensify worldwide, similar digital tree care networks may emerge in cities beyond Europe, making it easier than ever for anyone to help maintain green, healthy neighborhoods and keep urban environments cooler and more inviting.