IKEA US and American Forests create a child-oriented ‘Forests’ video to be shown in IKEA stores across the US
Through Partnership with American Forests, the ‘IKEA Plant A Tree Program’ has helped to reduce CO2 pollution with customer support
(Conshohocken, PA, April 20, 2015) – IKEA US and American Forests want children to know just how important forests and planting trees are to cleaning the air and cooling the globe. So in keeping with this goal, a video has been created by American Forests, in partnership with IKEA US, for children to simply explain how forests and trees benefit all life on the planet, including wildlife, and help to slow or mediate climate change. This video will be shown in all IKEA store’s Smaland playrooms, designated areas for children’s play and learning.
The seven minute video, narrated by a 9-year-old girl, Bailey, takes children on a fun and educational journey showing how forests are both a great place to explore and are critical to keeping our planet healthy. IKEA and American Forests believe that reaching out to children at an early age and educating them on the importance of forests and trees will help to create a better future for us all.
Since 1998, IKEA US, in partnership with American Forests, has been dedicated to improving the lives of many people through its national in-store ‘Plant A Tree’ program, a campaign that asks customers to donate $1 to plant one tree. These contributions, together with money donated by IKEA, have resulted in the raising of over $2.4 million dollars to plant 2.4 million trees across America.
For example, the he Plant A Tree program recently planted 74,000 trees in the McNally Fire restoration in California; 15,000 trees in Arizona for the Warm Fire Restoration project; and over 100,000 trees in the Lower Rio Grande in Texas.
An example of an urban planting with larger trees was in Asbury Park, New Jersey, where 172 trees were planted to restore some of the damage from superstorm Sandy and make the city more resilient in major weather events.
Why ‘Plant a Tree’ program?
Trees and forests are a crucial part of the Earth’s ecosystem. Trees are green machines that clean our air and water by absorbing pollution, providing oxygen and stabilizing the soil. The trees donated to American Forests are planted throughout the US in ecosystem restoration projects.
“We are dedicated to helping our children grow up in a planet that keeps them sustained and healthy. Working with American Forests, we are pleased to show this children’s video in our Smaland play area so that at an early age kids can understand and engage in our deep commitment to climate change and our quality of life by keeping the environment clean and green. Each tree makes a difference and 2.4 million trees planted will help to reduce CO2 pollution, and help restore America’s forests,” said Lisa Davis, IKEA US Sustainability Manager.
“Both IKEA and American Forests care about the planet and care about kids,” said Scott Steen, American Forests President and CEO. “This project combines these two priorities, teaching young people in a fun way about the wonders of trees and forests. We really couldn’t ask for a better partner to help us get the word out.”
Mona Astra Liss, IKEA US Corporate PR Director, Mona.Liss@IKEA.com, 610.834.0180, ext. 5852
Lea Sloan, Vice President, Communications, American Forests, lsloan@americanforests.org, 202-370-4509, 202-330-3253 (cell)
About IKEA Group
The IKEA vision is to create a better everyday life for the many people. Our business idea supports this vision by offering a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them. There are currently 315 IKEA Group stores in 27 countries. Additionally, there are 40 IKEA stores run by franchises. There are 40 IKEA stores in the US. In FY 14, IKEA Group had 716 million visitors to the stores and 1.5 billion visitors to IKEA.com. IKEA incorporates sustainability into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, please visit www.IKEA.com, facebook.com/IKEAUSA, @IKEAUSANews, @IKEAUSA, http://pinterest.com/IKEAUSA/, www.youtube.com/IKEAUSA, www.theshare-space.com, www.theshare-space.com/en/Blog
About American Forests
American Forests’ mission is to restore threatened forest ecosystems and inspire people to value and protect urban and wildland forests. Since 1990, American Forests has completed work on more than 1000 projects throughout the U.S. and in 45 countries. As the oldest national conservation organization in the U.S., American Forests celebrates its 140thanniversary this year and is on track to plant its 50 millionth tree. Learn more at www.americanforests.org.
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