Everyone can make a difference
2020 has opened our eyes to several matters; we can just not ignore the impact that our daily activities have on the environment and our society. Both individuals and companies are now looking for ways to contribute towards a healthier planet; fortunately, there are exciting initiatives worldwide working towards reducing those impacts where it matters most.
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to virtually meet Victoria East, who has been involved with many sustainability initiatives over the past 20 years, from hybrid and electric vehicles, slow travel, fighting food waste, and eating local challenges. She is originally from California and now living in Lisbon; she started asking herself how she could do more for the planet from her quarantine apartment. As 2020 raged on with wildfires everywhere, food shortages, border closures, she believes trees make the most significant lasting impact on climate change.
For Victoria, companies, and programs must do what they say they would, she wanted to see real proof of trees going into the ground, and that is how she found Forest Nation, and this initiative turned out to be precisely that. It provides an affordable and easy way to contribute to reducing the impact of climate change (with real trees!).
All images courtesy of Forest Nation
Forest Nation has planting projects in Tanzania and Haiti, where governments have heavily deforested the communities, and help is needed right away.
Victoria has focused her work on supporting women in all ways; Forest Nation allows her to advocate that through the Haiti planting project, a woman runs it with direct ties to the local community.
The project makes sure that at least 50% of the workforce is female; this allows women to work a few hours in the nurseries and still take care of their children.
Trees are carefully selected according to the region they will be planted and are primarily tropical fruit trees to directly impact food security. When Victoria learned all these benefits, she was assured she wanted to be a part of it, and other people would also be interested in planting trees with her once they knew about the project.
Victoria explains that they currently have two projects: One in Tanzania which has been going on for several years and their newest forest in Haiti. Haiti has been suffering from drastic deforestation and needs help now, so they are looking for partners to plant trees.
Victoria’s goal is to plant 100k trees in 2021, but she can’t reach the goal by herself. This initiative is a fantastic opportunity to help businesses in the tourism industry, where she works, stand out in the market. She is looking to partner with companies that care for the planet, pay livable wages, and care about the environment.
More than ever, businesses should show the initiatives they are participating in and share it with travelers who may choose to either eat, stay or tour with a company that is concerned for the environment and well-being of their community.
Being a planting partner with Forest Nation helps to do that. By providing photos of the planting process, companies can easily share the process with their network. Travelers can follow the whole journey from seed to full-grown tree. It’s a fantastic experience to really see the impact your small amount of money can do (as little as 30 cents per tree). The program is open to small businesses and small family-run hotels; everyone can make a difference. It is as easy as planting a tree with each traveler who chooses your hotel, restaurant, or tour company instead of another.
There are several ways a company can benefit from planting trees and forests. First, as a marketing company vs. a non-profit, all purchases are a business expense; this way, companies can provide a needed service while planting trees. Companies are provided with marketing collateral to use in their campaigns; this creates brand awareness and shares with customers that they are making positive steps.
Forest Nation can show the tree seed being planted, growing, all the way to food being picked by the community members in the areas where it is most needed. This allows companies to have longevity in their marketing projects. Not just a one-time photo, but a real-time educational journey that customers can be a part of.
For instance, a photographer who has pledged 10k citrus trees will be able to see them from November 2020 to when they are distributed to the family farmers in March 2021. Then she will get updates of those same trees as they begin to grow fruit and actually feed people. She can share all of this with her social media and customers.
Forest Nation also has many cool features for individuals. There are branded tree gift kits for adults and kids, even superhero ones. You can also plant a tree by learning about climate issues by taking online quizzes. Travelers can plant trees to make up for the carbon pollution from plane and car travel by planting a forest.
A great thing about planting trees is that the tree will continue to clean the air forever; trees produce oxygen permanently; they capture carbon forever.
Ready to get involved?
Contact Victoria East at:
WhatsApp:+16192513015