For over 25 years, Eddie Bauer and American Forests have partnered on an ecosystem restoration donation program, and in that time, the generous support of our Eddie Bauer customers has helped to plant over 8 million trees in threatened forest ecosystems across the United States and Canada. This Earth Month, the donations made by Eddie Bauer and our customers go directly to American Forests’ Tree Equity Program. Read on to learn more about why Eddie Bauer has chosen to support this impactful program.
Why do trees in my city matter?
Trees in cities help everyone by providing health, employment, and climate resiliency benefits. They help fulfill our basic needs by providing fresh air to breathe and clean water to drink. Trees also help keep neighborhoods cool, which reduces heat-related illnesses and utility costs. Trees in cities also play a role in generating wealth and stimulating the economy by generating career opportunities in planting, maintenance, and more. Much like buildings, streets, and sewer lines, trees are a critical part of our infrastructure, and they greatly improve our quality of life.
Who experiences tree inequity?
A map of tree cover in America’s cities is too often a map of income and race. That’s because, due to decades of redlining and other discriminatory policies, trees are often sparse in neighborhoods with more low-income families and people of color. Studies show that redlined neighborhoods have fewer trees, preventing those residents from experiencing the benefits they provide.
By 2030, American Forests hopes to achieve three goals:
- Help 100 American cities achieve Tree Equity by taking action to ensure every neighborhood has an acceptable Tree Equity Score
- Help 100,000 people, many from marginalized communities, begin forestry careers
- Create heat–resilient communities in urbanized America by planting and maintaining trees in neighborhoods that need them most
Where is American Forests working to create Tree Equity today?
American Forests is currently leading collaborative efforts between public and private sectors to propel forward Tree Equity in the following cities, with more added every year:
- Chicago
- Miami
- Boston
- Detroit
- Phoenix
- Rhode Island
