SEATTLE, Feb. 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Eddie Bauer announced The One Tree Initiative with philanthropic ambassador Ryan Reynolds to benefit American Forests. Since the start of its partnership with the national nonprofit conservation organization 20 years ago, Eddie Bauer has helped plant more than 6.5 million trees. With the launch of The One Tree Initiative, Eddie Bauer pledges its continued support of American Forests’ mission to protect and restore threatened forest ecosystems around the world, one tree at a time.
In a public service announcement released today to inspire a united commitment to forest conservation, actor and longtime activist Ryan Reynolds supports the notion that every tree matters. The inspiration and purpose of the campaign is to ignite action across a widespread audience, highlighting that our forests are an invaluable resource. And with very little effort, we can do a lot to preserve them for our future.
“The One Tree Initiative recognizes that one person and one dollar can impact the future of our forests,” says Mike Egeck, President and Chief Executive Officer of Eddie Bauer. “We are proud to partner with Ryan as our philanthropic ambassador as he shares our passion and appreciation for the outdoors. This campaign reminds us that we can all play a role in preserving the beauty of nature, and even a small donation to American Forest can make big impact in protecting our forests for future generations to come.”
Eddie Bauer launched its partnership with American Forests in 1995 with the “Add a Dollar, Plant a Tree” project, in which the brand plants a tree every time a customer chooses to add a dollar to his or her purchase. Eddie Bauer donates 100 percent of these funds collected from customer donations to American Forests’ reforestation projects in the U.S. and Canada.
In November 2015, Eddie Bauer announced Ryan Reynolds as its philanthropic ambassador with the planting of American Forests’ 50 millionth tree in a drought-stricken and fire-damaged area of the San Bernardino Mountains. To recognize the 20th anniversary of its partnership with American Forests, the brand pledged to plant 20,000 additional trees in the San Bernardino Mountains in 2016.
During Earth Week in April, Eddie Bauer will be matching customer donations under The One Tree Initiative, giving one tree for every dollar up to 75,000 trees. Starting today, customers can donate directly through the American Forests website and through a mobile Text-to-Give program, in which five trees can be planted for $5 simply by texting ONETREE to 80077.
About Eddie Bauer
Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells sportswear, outerwear, footwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. The Eddie Bauer brand is a nationally recognized brand that stands for high quality, innovation, style, and customer service. Eddie Bauer products are available at approximately 400 stores throughout the United States, Canada, Germany and Japan, through catalog sales, and online at www.eddiebauer.com.
About American Forests
American Forests restores and protects urban and rural forests. Founded in 1875, the first national nonprofit conservation organization in the country has served as a catalyst for many of the most important milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest and national park systems, and literally thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts. In the past 25 years alone, American Forests has planted 50 million trees in more than a thousand forest restoration projects. These projects have restored hundreds of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat, protected vital water supplies, and planted trees that store millions of tons of greenhouse gases. Learn more at www.americanforests.org.