A non-profit community reforestation programme in Indonesia has launched a new ethical range of timber furniture in the UK, aimed at providing a responsibly -sourced, ethical
range of products via the independent and small retailer market.

Trees4Trees has been founded with support and funding from leading independent UK furniture retailer, Barker and Stonehouse. The firm has provided finance, support and
marketing advice to the not-for-profit foundation which aims to empower Indonesian communities through partner reforestation programmes and long-term education and training.

A non-profit community reforestation programme in Indonesia has launched a new ethical range of timber furniture in the UK, aimed at providing a responsibly – sourced, ethical range of products via the independent and small retailer market.

Trees4TreesTM has been founded with support and funding from leading independent UK furniture retailer, Barker & Stonehouse. The firm has provided finance, support and marketing advice to the not-for-profit foundation, which aims to empower Indonesian communities through partner reforestation programmes and long-term education and training.

James Barker, managing director of Barker & Stonehouse said: “Trees4TreesTM has been founded to ensure that timber used by responsible manufacturers in furniture production is replaced to the benefit of local communities".

“The Trees4TreesTM programme gives high-value tree saplings – i.e. Mango, Teak or Mahogany – which offer real economic benefits to these communities. The programme is underpinned by long-term support; education so that communities can take ownership of the programme and understand how to nurture and grow these resources to wider economic and environmental benefits.”

Following on from this earlier support in establishing the programme, Barker & Stonehouse has become the first UK retailer to stock products from the Trees4TreesTM range. The company will now work alongside UK wholesaler Baker Bedford (formerly part of the Barker & Stonehouse Group of companies) to promote the programme to other independent retailers.

James added: “We plan to work with the other project partners to develop Trees4TreesTM in the UK so that it is widely recognised as an ethical consumer brand within the marketplace. For too long, ethically sourced furniture has been prohibitively expensive – especially to the independent and small retailer market.

Trees4TreesTM, we have a range of products which are high quality, affordable and desirable whilst originating from a programme which makes a real difference to the communities of Indonesia”.

The Trees4TreesTM programme has so far planted more the 100,000 tree saplings with plans to continue planting at least that many each year as the initiative gains momentum. The programme is also developing a system whereby end consumers will be able to identify and monitor the progression of the tree that was planted as a result of their purchase using a unique tree-specific reference number, high-tech GPS technology and internet satellite monitoring systems.

Simon Greenaway, a reforestation expert and founder of the Trees4TreesTM programme said: “Barker & Stonehouse have been instrumental in bringing Trees4TreesTM to reality – and bringing these products to the UK market. Trees4TreesTM exists to make a real difference to communities in Indonesia while offering a credible ethical badge to consumers.”