Guatemala has one of the most extensive and diverse forest systems in Central America. Its name is said to mean "land of the trees" in the Mayan-Toltec language. Sadly, the country is losing these precious forests at a rapid rate. Because of its topography, Guatemala is susceptible to landslides, floods and other natural disasters. However, the biggest driver of deforestation has been population growth and economic disparity. With more than one million hectares of land that could be harnessed for reforestation, planting tree here helps to bring back the healthy forests that have characterised the country since ancient times.⁠
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Thank you for all your orders during November and helping us make a difference - it means so much to us!

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'

For every order placed with us during October we are working with our partners to plant trees and expand Québec's forests, protecting them against urban sprawl, the timber industry, and resource development projects. This helps to ensure the forests remain strong, and also helps to educate the community on the importance of sustainable forest management in Québec.⁠

Did you know Québec forests are some of the most ecologically rich ecosystems on the planet? They are home to more than 225 species of bird, 50 species of tree, and 60 mammal species including moose, black bear, fox, and caribou.⁠

Thank you for your continued support helping us to take care of this planet of ours and the animals who live alongside us.

*Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'

Well September flew by! We're well on the road to Christmas now - gradually getting prepared, but I'm not sure there will ever be a year we are totally prepared, surely that's no fun?!!⁠

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Thanks to all your lovely orders during September we will be working with our partners to plant trees in the Andes.⁠
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Our amazing partners are leading a Latin America-wide initiative to restore 1 million hectares of high Andean forest across 6 countries over the next 25 years. As part of the annual tree-planting festival Queuña Raymi, trees will be planted with the guidance of local leaders using ancient Incan traditions, preserving the landscape and Indigenous culture. The tree planting will help restore wetlands, safeguard existing forest, and protect critical Amazon headwaters. ⁠

* Photo courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'.

Lots of trees will be planted in Kenya thanks to all your orders during a busy August for The Drifting Bear Co! Each order placed on our website plants one tree, and this month we have chosen for our trees to be planted in Kenya’s Kijabe Forest - a place that was once dominated by trees but around two thirds has now been lost due to over-extraction of resources and illegal timber harvesting⁠.
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A community of almost 200,000 people depend on the forest for water, wood, and agriculture. Planting trees here will help protect this vital ecosystem, promote environmental education, and foster sustainable livelihoods through seed collection and ecotourism.⁠

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'.

Thanks to all your orders during a busy July, your trees are being planted to help protect Orca Whales!

Sadly, there are only 75 Southern Resident Orcas remaining (often referred to as killer whales), swimming the waters off the coast of North America from California to British Columbia. This makes them an endangered species and in need of our help.

We know it sounds strange, but planting trees around rivers and streams that feed into the Orca's habitat reduces water contamination, lowers toxicity, protects salmon spawning grounds, therefore improving the Orca's food supply. These projects will also bring benefits to other species of wildlife, as well as the communities in the surrounding areas.

Thanks again for all your orders and helping us change the world, little by little!⁠

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'.

This year marks the 50th anniversary since man first landed on the moon.

Apollo 11 launched into space from Kennedy Space Center on July 16th 1969, with three astronauts on board - Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Micheal Collins. 

On 20th July 1969, Armstrong and Aldrin landed the Apollo Luna Module 'Eagle' on the moons surface. Six hours later, Neil Armstrong became the first man ever to step onto the moon. Aldrin became the second, just 19 minutes later. 

As they explored the moons surface, Collins flew the command module in orbit, which would later return all three men safely back to Earth. 

After spending more than 8 days in space, the men splashed down into the Pacific Ocean on 24th July 1969.

To celebrate this historic event, we are offering 20% off any of our moon products from 16th - 24th July 2019 with code the code MANONMOON

You will find an array of moon inspired products, perfect for celebrating different occasions here. There are moon phase prints for those looking for a sentimental wedding gift, to the moon and back cushions to celebrate anniversaries or birthdays, cufflinks for the man in your life, items perfect for a nursery or as a Christening gift and even decorations to celebrate a first Christmas (yep, we said the C word in July!). 

We're sure you'll find something the recipient will be over the moon with! 

Well, what a busy month! We hope you all had a fabulous Father's day!

Lots of trees will be planted this month thanks to all your orders during a busy June for The Drifting Bear Co! This month we have chosen for our trees to be planted in the Amazon rainforest.⁠
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You may have heard on the news a few days ago that an area the size of a football pitch of Amazon rainforest is being lost every single minute, which is not only adding to climate change but also means the indigenous populations are losing their homes.⁠
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We know what we're doing here is minuscule in the grand scheme of things, but we hope that what we're doing will go a little way to help make a difference. And if everyone did something minuscule, maybe we could all make a massive difference.⁠

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'.

This month we have been busy preparing for Father's day, with lots of new products being uploaded to the site.

While we've been busy, you've all continued to order thoughtful gifts for your loved ones (and a few self purchases too!).

For each order placed this month, we have chosen to plant trees in Haiti where reforestation is a major challenge. Centuries of over-farming and poor agricultural methods have destroyed the region’s soil. Erosion makes it very difficult to grow food, and dramatically increases the impact of natural disasters. Planting trees here helps to restore nutrients to the soil and allows Haitian farmers to grow more food, help combat climate change, and lift themselves out of poverty.

We couldn’t do all this without you, so thanks for all your orders during May, it really means a lot!

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'.

During April, for every order placed through our website we have donated trees to be planted in Tanzania, Africa.⁣
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These trees will help to conserve the biodiversity of the Usambara mountains and restore balance to the local ecosystem. Families in this area rely on the forest for food, water, and income. Our tree planting partners are working with the farmers to raise awareness about proper land management and agroforestry, meaning communities will benefit from these trees well into the future.⁣
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Thank you for everyone who has placed an order with us this month, and we hope it helps to know where your tree is being planted and the benefits it will be bring.

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'.

March saw a very busy month for us with lots of you ordering thoughtful gifts for Mother's day. Thanks to all your orders, we have donated lots of new trees to be planted in India.⁣
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For this project, our reforestation partner in India will be planting fruit trees in Marora, Ghaghas, and their surrounding villages. The trees will be planted on land owned by local farmers and community organizations including orphanages, aged care homes, and residential schools for the underprivileged. Here, a single fruit tree can provide sustained nourishment and income to the beneficiary for 50 years or more. Planting fruit trees will help these communities to fight global warming, hunger, and poverty. ⁣
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Thank you for everyone who has placed an order with us this month, and we hope it helps to know where your tree is being planted and the benefits it will be bring.

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'.