Project Crimson Trust is on a mission to actively connect New Zealanders with nature and contribute to healthy and sustainable ecosystems. Its programme Trees That Count wants to see millions more native trees planted in New Zealand.
The open marketplace was New Zealand’s first for native trees. Funds are donated and then matched to different planting groups around the country to support the restoration, regeneration and protection of New Zealand’s native biodiversity. Over 900 businesses are actively involved with Trees That Count, ranging from large corporates to small businesses across every sector. FMCG brands recently involved include Colgate-Palmolive, Herbal Essences by P&G, Ecopack, and The Collective.
“The biodiversity and climate crisis is too large for us to have exclusivity within different sectors. For that reason, we often have competing brands who are actively funding trees. Any business, no matter how big or small, can design a partnership with us that suits them and their goals,” said Melanie Seyfort, Head of Marketing and Partnerships.
Ecopack is a great example of a business that has worked with Trees That Count, funding 2,000 native trees since becoming a supporter in 2019 across ten different planting projects. Funding 500 native trees per year has earned Ecobags (The company behind Ecopak) the ‘Trees That Count Committed To Climate Kahurangi’ mark that is proudly worn on a selection of their customer-focused products.
“The nice thing about it is it is local, and we really wanted to influence something in our own backyard. Trees That Count is one of the more recognisable causes, and it has a great reputation and great awareness in New Zealand,” said Jas Kohli, Ecopak Co-Founder.
Since its inception in 1990, the Project Crimson Trust has fundraised for more than 1.35 million trees, supported over 1,000 planting projects, and worked with over 27,000 funders and planters.
Getting involved can mean funding trees from the business itself, whether it be a donation per product or a specific campaign or saying thanks to suppliers and staff with native tree gifts. Check out the options at www.treesthatcount.co.nz/businesses
