Why?
How?
... through the following organizations ...
The Druid Network
The Woodland Trust
World Land Trust
International Tree Foundation
Sacred Trees Trust
Why?
Over half of all timber, and 72% of paper, is consumed by just 22% of the population according to http://www.rainforestweb.org, an excellent US-based website. Average per person consumption of wood products in industrialized countries is twelve times that in developing countries. That means us.
It isn't only for wood and paper that forests are cleared. Trees take up land that can be used to grazing of cattle. There may be clear socially unavoidable reasons why this is done in societies where poverty brings few choices, but vast areas of forest in non-industrialized countries are clear-cut or burned to make way for beef production: meat that is shipped to the 'first world'.
The statistics of how much forest is destroyed annually around the world, in SouthEast Asia, Eastern Europe, Central and South America, shift all the time, but every figure is shocking. 15 million hectares is one such estimate. The effects of losing so many trees may be still under debate, in terms of degrees of global warming, sea levels rising. The debate for the Druid, however, is not just about detail; it is about honour.
In Druidry, trees are not only considered sacred (along with all life); they hold a special place in our tradition. They are teachers, guides, supporters. They are anchors for memory, bearing the stories of our ancestors. They are gathering grounds for the spirits of a place, both an exquisite expression and a sanctuary for the beauty and power of nature.
As members of the Druid tradition, investing energy (whether in time, labour or money) in the planting of trees is an important part of the way in which we can integrate our spirituality with our daily lives, drawing the two into the one current of honourable living.
How?
At The Druid Network, a part of our aim is to make action easier. Each one of us may feel strongly about the problems created by our consumer culture, yet feel impotent in terms of significant change. That impotence generates inaction, passivity, even apathy.
We're here to remind you that we can all make a difference, and this is a poignant step in manifesting that goal ...
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The Druid Network
A significant part of The Druid Network's work is raising funds for the planting of trees and conservation of ancient forests. It is a focus that allows individuals to contribute significantly to the health and strength of our environment and the re-creation of woodland where it is needed most, and thus to the wellbeing of our society as a whole.
Cost : £5.50 per tree
£5 of this fee goes direct to the organisation with the clearest ethics and integrity that we feel is most suitable and can give us trees planted for that cost. 50p covers the cost of the internet credit card facility and office administration. The money is kept in a separate Druid Network account with any interest accrued adding towards the fund.
Information about developing projects and organisations we are working with at any point can be found on the Environmental Projects pages. Where possible, funding is used in tree planting and conservation projects that Druid Network members can be directly involved in, through volunteering and stewardship of sites. Currently, we are negotiating with The Woodland Trust (see below) and Trees for Cities, but all sound projects are an option and we are keeping our ears open.
Projects are initially focused in the UK, but the Network is keen to support projects overseas.
Certificate : We are offering, to those who would wish it, a simple but elegantly printed A4 certificate featuring artwork by Deb Holman. On the certificate we can put the name of the person who is contributing to the fund, the number of trees that will be planted (or that funds have been given towards conservation work), together with the date and the occasion for which it is done, and the name of any person or people if the certificate is a gift for someone else. If you would like a certificate, please send us a note with your cheque or use the on-line payment system.
Paying : Send a cheque to the Druid Network office at PO Box 3533, Whichford, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5YB England.
Location : The location of trees planted and conserved with funds contributed by The Druid Network will be published with information about the projects on the Environment Projects pages.
Volunteer : If you would like to volunteer time, energy or expertise to Druid Network tree planting projects, please contact our Environmental Projecs Co-ordinator for further information.
So far this amount has been donated to the fund: £2071.87 (July 05)
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The Woodland Trust
This is a fully ethical British organization with a clear focus on conservation. Not only do they plant and maintain woodlands, both old and new, but they are also committed to action that challenges unnecessary development. Their beautifully easy website can be found at http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk.
The Trust offers a number of ways of investing in trees, including voluntary schemes. They will also plant trees in your name, sending a card, certificate, window sticker and details of the forest (there is a choice of some 20 to choose from around Britain and Northern Ireland). The first two trees cost £10 each, and subsequent trees are just £5 each. Have a look at their website for other offers and ideas of how you can get involved.
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World Land Trust
Their website, at http://www.worldlandtrust.org, says that the organization is a UK based conservation charity, concerned with the protection of the world's most biologically important and threatened habitats. It's a beautifully laid out website, with strong graphics and clear ideas.
Like Future Forests (but this is a charity), their site offers a Carbon Calculator: an alarming device which allows you to work out how much rainforest you would need to counterbalance the CO2 emissions created by various activities in our industrialized lifestyles, such as using a mobile phone and boiling a kettle. The WLT then offers you the opportunity to donate money for the preservation of that much forest.
One acre of rainforest is £25. Two, their Carbon Calculator estimates, would offset the average use of an electric kettle through the course of one year. Investing in the WLT gives you a certificate and a newsletter. You can choose from different areas of rainforest around the world. It's a neat idea.
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International Tree Foundation
Their website on http://www.internationaltreefoundation.org/ gives a clear insight into their work, priorities and ethics: campaigning against deforestation, reforesting where possible, and supporting local communities around the world.
From a choice of some 24 sites around Britain and Northern Ireland, you can fund the planting of trees that create new permanent woodlands and forest. Instead of asking for a specific amount of money, your donation will simply go towards their work. Donations of £20 or more will entitle you to a certificate of commemoration and thanks. Their special Yule card requires a gift of £50 or more.
There is a forest scheme that might be of special interest to homeopaths through the ITF too.
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Sacred Trees Trust
This Trust is a Pagan organization with a profound commitment to the sanctity of trees, their ideas clearly laid out in their simple yet beautiful unbound A5 booklet, The Ancient View of the Tree.
They don't offer a specific tree planting programme, but membership of the Trust (£10 per year) supports their work, and plants for each member a tree in one of their sacred groves, the tree being marked, and gives access to the groves. A certificate is sent, together with their bi-monthly magazine.
The STT can be reached at 31 Kings Avenue, Leeds, Yorkshire LS6 1QP, England.
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Others?
If you know of any other organizations that you feel we should be supporting here, please send us the relevant weblinks and a paragraph or two outlining their ethics and offers. Thank you! environment [at] druidnetwork [dot] org
