G Adventures is launching its new "Trees for Days" initiative, supporting the protection of the environment and empowerment of local communities.
According to G Adventures, over one million trees are already being planted, as the small group adventure operator has backdated the planting of trees for every day a traveller has joined a trip since 01JAN 2023. Travellers can contribute beyond the end date of their G Adventures trip by continuing to purchase trees in a region of their choice whenever they travel.
"As of today, for every day a traveller is on a G Adventures trip, one tree will be grown in their name, helping to both mitigate carbon emissions and increase support in 17 local communities around the world," G Adventures said in a statement.
The tree-planting projects are in locations that have been severely impacted by climate change through deforestation or that are currently under threat.
G Adventures believes that by supporting the development of sustainable tourism enterprises, the travel industry can help protect the environment and create additional income streams for local people, most often benefiting and empowering marginalized Indigenous populations, women, and youth.
In partnership with G Adventures' non-profit partner Planeterra, which actively supports tree planting and forest conservation work worldwide, it is estimated that more than one and a half million trees will be planted yearly.
Bruce Poon Tip, Founder of G Adventures, said, "The vision for the 'Trees for Days' project is to increase the positive impact customers have when travelling with G Adventures while at the same time supporting communities impacted by climate change."
"As the pioneers of community tourism, supporting local communities is at the core of our DNA. With the increasing urgency to help our planet, I'm thrilled to be announcing our Trees for Days initiative in partnership with Planeterra and Reforest. Our non-profit partner, Planeterra has been instrumental in sourcing the community based tree planting projects, and Reforest - which we invested in last year - is providing the technology platform.
"Our travellers care about making a difference when they travel - and they do that simply by booking a tour with G Adventures. Together, we will address how community tourism can play an important role in helping the planet heal, while uplifting local communities, through reforestation and positive local impact," said Poon Tip.
President of Planeterra, Jamie Sweeting, said, "The Trees for Days initiative is a win-win solution for all parties involved."
"The planting of trees not only contributes to the removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, but it helps promote healthier landscapes and ecosystems such as wetlands, grasslands, and forests, and provides crucial habitats, food, and shelter for wildlife, thus helping to maintain biodiversity.
"Beyond that, helping local environments grow and flourish means they become more resilient to extreme weather events, which protects - and even helps develop - local communities and their sources of income, especially in rural areas. More trees also means cleaner air, and a reduction in the effects of extreme heat," Sweeting added.
Daniel Walsh, Founder of Reforest, added that "The Trees for Days program is a great example of a corporate reforestation program that is not only looking to do some real good for climate, nature and local communities, but will also give customers a very engaging and personalized way to connect with that impact."
"Travellers increasingly want to feel like they are leaving a positive footprint, so a key benefit of this program is that they can feel that sense of ownership of the trees planted for them," Walsh concluded.
The initiative supports reforestation projects in the following locations:
· Acción Andina Argentina (Argentina)
· Acción Andina Bolivia (Bolivia)
· Acción Andina Peru (Peru)
· Ambadandegama Reforestation Initiative (Sri Lanka)
· Ankilahila 1 Reforestation (Madagascar)
· Indrawati Reforestation (Nepal)
· Argan and Caper Tree Growing (Morocco)
· Kilimanjaro Reforestation (Tanzania)
· La Tigra Agroforestry (Honduras)
· Mahelmudi Reforestation (Nepal)
· Maskarat Nursery: El Khair Women's Coop (Morocco)
· Mount Kenya Landscape Restoration (Kenya)
· Nakaseke Community Reforestation (Uganda)
· Soa Zara Reforestation (Madagascar)
· Tana Delta Reforestation (Kenya)
· Thailand Reforestation (Thailand)
· Zalala Titi Reforestation (Mozambique)
More information is on G Adventures website.
