Why Plant Trees?
In 2005 Ken and I founded VWS to be a force for change in the area of forest and wildlife conservation. I grew up spending a lot of time outside in nature, always on the look out for anything that moved. In the evenings I'd be reading National Geographic or watching Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom on TV. My dream was to do something to help protect wildlife. Later on, after learning that 80% of the world's land animals live in the woods, forest conservation and planting trees became my passion.
The VWS Commitment to Forest Conservation
At VWS we use wood to build furniture. We're committed to not only harvesting trees sustainably but also to reforesting vulnerable wildlife habitats where our competitors still choose to harvest timber illegally. We pledge 1% of our revenue to non-profit 501c3 organizations that plant trees.
We Plant Trees for Monarch Butterflies
Our favorite non profit is Forests for Monarchs, founded by our friend Jose Luis Alvarez who has inspired the organization to plant over 10 million trees. We travel to Michoacan, Mexico annually to help Jose Luis plant trees and you're invited to join us! Nowadays it seems every business is saying they plant trees but what does that actually mean? Are they just scattering some seeds around or are they seeing the process through? Big difference.
Experience Forest and Wildlife Habitat Restoration with VWS
Contact me here if you'd like to see our forest conservation efforts in action. You can help us plant trees on the 109 acre managed woodland that’s home to our Stonehurst showroom in Vermont. Or if you’re more adventurous, you can travel to Mexico with us and meet our tree-planting partner, Jose Luis Alvarez, founder of Forests for Monarchs FFM. You'll get to see the forest sanctuaries where monarch butterflies from all across the USA and Canada overwinter. We'll show you the many areas that have been brought back to forestland after being destroyed and you can visit the FFM tree nursery where it all begins.
We are working with Jose Luis Alvarez, founder of Forests for Monarchs FFM to reforest the monarch butterfly's winter habitat in Mexico. Photo courtesy of FFM board member, Sue Sill.The Joy of Planting Trees
Reforestation is serious work but we always have a great time when we go to Mexico and support Jose Luis Alvarez in his conservation projects. Over the years, many have asked to join us in this endeavor. We’re eager to show people our environmental mission in action. If you've ever dreamed of visiting the monarch sanctuaries in Mexico, come see them with us and leave a legacy of newly planted trees behind. Contact me here if you're interested.
Why Monarchs?
Since the last ice age Mexico has been the winter home to the entire species of the Eastern Monarch Butterfly. Sadly, their population has dropped by 90 percent over the last few decades. People ask me why we're so invested in monarch conservation. If you can't even save the world's most beautiful insect (with the world's most amazing migration) what does that say for the future of millions of less glamorous pollinators. And for our food supply?
Save monarchs and save hope for the future.
Learn More About our Environmental Mission
We believe businesses have a special responsibility to make the world a better place. Learn about our four-pronged commitment to sustainability here.
