Every Purchase = One Tree
To offset some of the carbon footprint created by making and shipping the products, Merle Kids has partnered with Tree-Nation to support the planting of one tree for every purchase.
Tree-Nation is a platform that allows local reforestation projects around the world to partner with companies and individuals who wish to sponsor them. Tree-Nation’s goal is to reforest the world, as this is one of the most effective solutions to counter climate change. They have a strict code of conduct regarding working conditions, planting methods, the environment, etc. that projects must adhere to. I recommend that you visit this page for more information.
You can visit Merle Kids forest here. Roughly one week after placing an order, you will be able to see the tree you have sponsored there. I write the customer's initials under each sponsored tree.
Merle Kids currently sponsors trees in the Eden projects in Nepal.
Eden began its reforestation project in Nepal in 2015 to improve local livelihoods and restore forests in key areas. The planting sites are located in mountainous areas in steep terrain around community forests in the Nawalparasi mountain district, in alluvial plains in Jhapa, Rautahat and Morang districts, and in Chitwan National Park. By working with the national park system, Eden Projects is helping to protect and create a reforested buffer zone, which is essential for protecting wildlife habitat.
They work with both native reforestation species and agroforestry species to support local communities. The project is led by women and more than half of the Nepali workforce are women, and for many it is their first opportunity for permanent employment.
Picture ©Bijay Chaurasia
My tree of choice is the Indian rosewood tree (Dalbergia sissoo). Here is what the Eden projects tell us about it:
The Indian rosewood tree is adapted to a seasonal monsoon climate and a dry season of up to 6 months. It is a medium to large deciduous tree with a spreading crown that grows between 20 and 30 metres high; the trunk can reach a diameter of 100 cm. It is native to the sub-Himalayan region in India and Pakistan. The tree has a wide range of economic and environmental uses. It has many medicinal properties and has been used locally against a variety of diseases. The wood is very durable and is used for furniture, cabinets, small wood and musical instruments. Ecologically, the tree offers many benefits to the landscape and the environment and is often used in agroforestry. It serves as a host plant for orchids, as a windbreak and as shelter. Because it has an extensive root system, it is often used for erosion control. It is also valued for its ability to increase soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Picture ©www.samenpapiers.de
one last thing!
In your package, you always receive a little note to remind you about the tree you planted with your order.
The paper used for this is seed paper! It is made of cotton, and contains seeds… You can plant it and watch flowers grow!
Here is the best way to grow your paper:
Cover with water and leave overnight.
Place on the ground and cover lightly with some soil.
Keep the paper moist at all times.
Depending on the season, the seeds will start to germinate within a week.