300,000 Trees Planted - and counting!

October 14, 2021

Small Actions = Big Impacts - Partnering to Plant Trees

Here at Friendsheep, we care for the Earth, the ocean, children, animals, equality, nature, and those in need. And we aim for an impact that spreads far beyond the creation of any product. In fact, those adorable Eco Dryer Balls you’re using (and every item we dream up) do way more than help with laundry time:

 

When it comes to giving back, allocating support and stretching our impact, it would cease to be possible without you – our Friendsheep community. And we’re excited to announce that together we've now planted over 300,000 trees with the Eden Reforestation Project! 

How the reforestation project began

It all started with a simple initiative about two years ago: to plant one tree for every single item that made its way into your hands. Multiple dryer balls within one bag? A tree is planted for each one. The smallest dog toy? Another tree! 

Since then, the three of us – Friendsheep, Eden Reforestation Project and our Friendsheep community – have collectively and steadily been making an impact. One tree at a time. 

Why we love the Eden Reforestation Project

When it came to choosing an organization to partner with, Eden Reforestation Project stood out from the rest. Their motto is “Plant trees. Save lives.” and this initiative is powerfully woven through all that they do. 

They don’t simply arrive in areas requiring reforestation and plant trees. Instead, they employ local people needing work and, in doing so, engage them in protecting their own territory. Workers become stewards of their land, assuming a responsibility for its health and that of the local environment. 

Through Eden, native trees are planted, fair wages given, communities created, lives are saved, and the earth is aided in restoring itself. 

 

Why we chose to support Madagascar

Eden works with a growing number of locations. At Friendsheep, we decided to focus on Madagascar for 3 main reasons:

1. Madagascar is an important island with incredible biodiversity. It is home to over 200,000 species of both plants and animals that don’t exist anywhere else in the world.
   
   
2. Of all the animal species found in Madagascar, 75% are unique to the island and cannot be found anywhere else on the planet (isn’t that wild?)
   
   
3. Only 10% of Madagascar’s original forests remain today (suddenly not wild, but sad and scary for biodiversity, plants, creatures and communities)

With more than 90% of Madagascar’s original forests destroyed, the heartbreaking reality is this: animals are severely displaced, unique species are threatened, and the ability to live off the land for both animals and humans is becoming exhausted. 

Restoration and reforestation in mangrove forests

Mangrove forests are essential to Madagascar's ecosystem. Picture a fantastic and diverse underwater forest! These trees have dense roots in estuaries, providing a habitat for aquatic animals and land-dwelling species, too. When mangroves – and their accompanying roots – fall away, erosion occurs. Without trees and roots acting as anchors, water drags land and soil with it. Vital habitats are soon destroyed, fishing for locals is decimated, and the water’s overall health and filtration suffers. 

The restoration and reforestation of mangrove estuaries is imperative when it comes to reviving the natural habitats of Madagascar’s animal species. Through Eden Reforestation Project and Friendsheep’s community involvement, we’re participating in helping this special ecosystem heal itself. 

 

Our collaborative impact thus far

Since starting our pledge to plant one tree toward permanent reforestation for every item sold we have planted well over 300,000 trees in Madagascar. That's 900,000 acres of land (or over 665 football fields of forest!). 

And we’ve achieved this as a community, which makes it even more significant. 

It doesn’t stop there

Staying “tree positive” is just one of the things we do here at Friendsheep: We support reforestation and not cutting trees, we exclusively use post-consumer 100% recyclable and 100% compostable packing materials, and also use 100% tree-free Lotka paper bags. 

However, it doesn’t stop there. We have many other partnerships that allow us to participate in minimizing our environmental footprint, and maximizing our positive impact. 

We partner with CarbonFund, and carbon offset every delivery and shipment throughout our supply chain and all the way to your doorstep. We’re a proud member of 1% for the Planet, where one percent of all our gross sales are donated to environmental nonprofits. We participate in ocean and nature conservation projects, partner with children's hospitals and animal rescues, head up community fundraising efforts, and much, much more. 

And we couldn’t do any of this without you – our community. Thank you for partnering with us and making our vision come to life! Onward we go, together. 

Each Friendsheep product purchased, gifted and loved directly contributes to these causes, and brings us one step closer to a better world. Visit our store for Eco Dryer Balls, Eco Fresheners, Eco Pet Toys and more! 

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