They cover over a third of our earth's land mass. They regulate our atmosphere They provide shelter. They bring life to millions of people, animals, and plants. Yet we are losing our forests at an alarming rate. We have lost over 1,000 football fields every hour since the 1990s. 1.3 million square kilometers are gone, an area larger than South Africa. Tropical regions are seeing the fastest loss. We need change and we need it now! Progress is being made with organizations like Eden Reforestation Projects. An amazing organization doing life saving work. Working in countries like Madagascar, Nepal, Haiti, and Indonesia, since 2005 ERP has provided 3,500 full and partial jobs for season village workers and by the end of this year will have planted over 200,000,000 trees. We are proud to be partnered with such an amazing organization and we want you who supports these projects through your purchases, to meet the organization you help to support. We hope you enjoy getting to know Eden Reforestation Projects! 
Wakened: Tell us a little bit about the history of Eden Reforestation Projects and how it came to be?
ERP: The “plant trees, save lives” concept began in Ethiopia in 2004 under the leadership of Steve Fitch, CEO and founder of Eden Reforestation Projects. The product of an aid worker upbringing, Steve had grown up in a “third world culture” in the Philippines and understood the dynamics of poverty that can easily overtake and destroy peoples’ lives. Steve witnessed villages that had been decimated by deforestation and quickly realized the connection between the environment and quality of life for people.
Eden Reforestation Projects was started to attempt to reverse environmental devastation that negatively impacted families and local culture. In its 14th year, Eden Reforestation Projects now works in Madagascar, Nepal, Haiti, and Indonesia. The long-term project commitments are employing thousands of local villagers who plant healthy forest systems.
Since 2005, Eden has successfully employed over 3,500 full and partial season village workers, and by the end of this year we will have planted over 200,000,000 trees!
Wakened: What is your mission or goal?
ERP: To recreate healthy forest systems that restore hope, alleviate suffering, empower people, and build local economies in impoverished communities.
Our objective, which we hope to achieve by the year 2020, is to plant a minimum of 100 million trees each year and to offer hope through the employment of thousands of people in countries where poverty is rampant.
Wakened: Give a couple of examples of some projects EDEN REFORESTATION PROJECTS is currently working on?
ERP: Madagascar – We are currently running a campaign to purchase items for our team in Madagascar. Madagascar is currently the largest project nation we work in and Eden is committed to making 2018 its most efficient planting year yet. In order to achieve this goal, we are asking for donations of items or donations for the funds to purchase specific items. All that is collected will be shipping out of Sacramento, California on March 31st. We can only imagine the joy of our Malagasy team when the container arrives. To help click here: https://www.youcaring.com/edenreforestationprojects-1099251
Nepal- In February, CEO/Founder Steve Fitch and some Eden team members visited our project sites in Nepal. The goal of the trip was to strengthen the leadership team and to explore for rapid expansion with the goal of planting 5-6 million trees in three to five years. Our team was happy to report that the trip was a huge success. “I have never seen trees grow so fast, most rapid tree growth in any of our nations, ever” as recalled by Steve after returning from the visit to Nepal in February. Because of this rapid and prolific growth, Eden’s employees also began seeing signs of wildlife returning to the once barren land.
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Wakened: what are some of the difficulties Eden Reforestation Projects faces? Can it be overwhelming at times? Wakened: Can you give us some examples of the positive impact or strides forward that have been made in reforestation and the community involved in the projects?
 Wakened: What is EDEN REFORESTATION PROJECTSs future outlook worldwide and what still needs to be done? ERP: We are actively looking to expand our work to more nations in the coming years. We also need to continue expanding in our current project nations. One of the key focuses for the organization is teaching local communities the interdependence of the forest and the village. Communities learn how to guard and protect the trees to continue this relationship with the land for many generations to come.
Wakened: What can we do as individuals to make a difference and help in reforestation projects or stopping deforestation? ERP: Through the support of individuals and business partners, Eden Reforestation Projects has been able to plant millions of trees a year. As individuals, it is important to recognize the connection of a healthy forest and the impact that it has on poverty. By supporting businesses like Wakened Apparel and organizations like Eden Reforestation projects individuals can directly impact the quality of life for people and the environment around the world. To learn how you can help visit: edenprojects.org Eden Reforestation Projects is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that plants millions of trees every year on the behalf of donors, businesses, and foundations. There are so many reasons to love Eden Reforestation Projects. Besides saving our planet and the air we breathe, they provide the trees that are needed for wildlife to thrive, they provide villagers with work that they are proud of and help their children go to school through the income they receive. Through your purchases we can help bring our forests back to life and the communities of people and wildlife that depend on them. If you would like to learn more about ERP and all the amazing work they do click HERE and if you would like to donate directly to ERP click HERE If you would like to purchase one of our products that donates to Eden Reforestation Projects click on the photos below, each purchase will plant 20 trees. With more products to come make sure to subscribe to stay up to date.
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