For as long as we’ve been in business, sustainability has been one of our most important core values. We take great care to ensure that every aspect of our operation is as conscious as possible. From sourcing our ingredients locally – often from our own gardens and forest – to exclusively using recyclable, plantable, biodegradable, and compostable packaging, we are committed to minimizing our environmental impact.
When the opportunity arose to work with Integrity Reforestation, we asked: how soon can we start? We are excited to announce our partnership and collaboration project. Beginning this month and for a limited time, Integrity Reforestation will plant a tree for every The Woods candle sold.
It is such a pleasure to work with a brand who’s values on sustainability so closely align with our own and we’d love to help you get to know their organization and our initiative better.
Can you tell us a little bit about Integrity Reforestation?
We are a tree planting and reforestation company that is committed to restoring degraded lands and expanding the forest coverage of our planet. Our primary operations take place in Canada, and we provide mentorship and expertise to our global planting partners to promote reforestation in Europe, the U.S.A, Africa, and South America.
Additionally, we help companies who wish to measure their emissions and to use tree planting as a part of their action plan in improving their carbon output.
How did the organization get started?
After working for 15 years on reforestation operations and overseeing 200 million trees planted, Matt McKernan founded Integrity Reforestation to focus on scaling tree planting operations and bring together organizations from around the world to support planting 1 trillion trees.
Why is this work so important to you?
Our vision is a world where thriving forests are a symbol of hope and resilience, where communities and ecosystems are healthy and sustainable, and where future generations can enjoy the beauty and benefits of trees.
To make this vision a reality, we are committed to joining forces with organizations that share our values in an effort to plant 1-2 trillion trees throughout the world. We believe that planting trees at this scale can help mitigate climate change, protect biodiversity, and support the livelihood of millions of people who depend on forests for their survival.
Our goal is not just to plant trees, but to ensure that they are planted in the right places, using the right species and techniques, and with the involvement and support of local communities. By working together, we can create a brighter, greener, and more sustainable future for humanity.
What has been your biggest lesson in working so closely with nature?
The work we do has significant meaning in the world and for ourselves. Tree planting in harsh conditions provides not only the opportunity to confront ourselves and the shadows that hold us back, but it gets us up close and personal with the diverse ecosystems that sustain and shape life on our planet.
Working in the dirt, covered in mud, moving in pouring rain, getting chewed by bugs, and baking in the hot sun challenges the strength of our mind and body. Experiencing these extremes is where we transcend our limits. Nature teaches us valuable lessons about having the integrity to persevere, despite the hardship – a lesson we all have something to learn from.
What will our Into The Woods collaboration be supporting?
This year, Integrity Reforestation is working on reforesting over 2000 hectares of land that have been deforested for industrial timber production. Our team of 50 tree planters will plant 4-5 million trees in areas that have been cut down. Our job is to ensure a seedling survival rate of over 91% and replace logged areas with a thriving forest.
We will be planting a mix of Boreal forest tree species which include Black Spruce, Jack Pine and White Spruce, grown by local nurseries. The seed that each tree is grown from has been collected in the areas where we plant the trees, matching the genetics of the trees already growing there.
We expect to start planting May 10th and to ramp up to 100,000+ seedlings getting planted per day. Our crews are full of seasoned, experienced tree planters who each plant 2000 to 4000 trees per day. 5 million trees should be fully planted by mid-July.
The Woods candle features an earthy, purifying aroma reminiscent of a walk in the forest. It is created with a clean-burning blend of coconut and soy wax and a curated combination of cedar wood, balsam fir, vetiver, spruce, and sage essential oils. Each clay vessel is hand crafted with care by local artist Karla Strickland.
For a limited time, support Integrity Reforestation on their mission to plant over 5 million trees with the purchase of this candle.