HUNTINGBURG, April 21, 2020: OFS announces a partnership with One Tree Planted, a Vermont based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to global reforestation, to plant 60,000 trees in 2020.
Started in 2014, One Tree Planted works with reforestation partners in North America, South America, Asia, Australia, and Africa who help restore forests after fires and floods, create jobs, build communities, and protect habitat for biodiversity.
“We are excited about the long term environmental impact of our partnership with One Tree Planted,” said Jarod Brames, Director of Sustainability. “Our team was looking for a way to give back in a meaningful way. We were inspired by the reforestation mission and fight against deforestation” said Brames. “The partnership with One Tree Planted allows much more impact than we could create on our own. They give us the opportunity to utilize their existing network of tree planting organizations and access to projects across the globe."
OFS cares deeply about being a good steward to the community and environment. The family-owned business pioneered conservation and advocacy for protecting the natural world.
Back in the 60s, when conservation was a foreign term, second-generation leaders Phyllis and Bob Menke began to notice the effects of deforestation in Southern Indiana. They took action with more sustainable production methods, helped establish the Indiana Natural Conservancy, and began a quest to acquire and reforest thousands of eroded acres devastated by industry and agriculture. Planting 60,000 trees and partnering with OneTree Planted offered a path to continue the company’s stewardship journey through a deep reverence for trees and the incredible resource they are to the health of the planet and the warmth they add to the world in so many ways.
“For four generations, our family business has thrived by partnering with talented and passionate people—individuals and groups who inspire innovation, celebrate achievement, and strengthen our communities,” said Ryan Menke, SVP of Sales and Marketing at OFS. “We believe that sustainability doesn’t end with just reducing our carbon footprint—it spans the way we work with our customers, our colleagues, and the communities we serve.”
Additional facts regarding stewardship and tree planting:
- Company-owned certified forest lands sequester approximately 7700 MTCO2e annually.
- The combination of owned forest land and 60,000 trees planted via OneTreePlanted will offset all Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions which includes over 2,000,000 square feet of manufacturing facilities, showrooms, administrative buildings, and all the miles our logistics team travels in a calendar year.
- Planting one tree offsets one MTCO2e over its lifespan (~60 years).
- The first 5,000 trees were planted in California, the second 5,000 took root in Oregon and remaining will find homes across North America and Australia throughout 2020.
About One Tree Planted:
One Tree Planted was started to reforest our planet and provide education, awareness, and engagement on the importance of trees. One Tree Planted is currently working on reforestation campaigns in Africa, North America, Asia, and South America. One Tree Planted works with local reforestation partners to plant proper tree species and ensure high survival rates in each region.
Founded by Matt Hill, the organization prides itself on the 80/20 model, in which 80% of their revenue goes directly to tree planting, and 20% goes towards developing and growing various programs - working with local reforestation partners to plant proper tree species and ensure high survival rates in each region.
"When I started One Tree Planted, my goal was simple: make it easy for people to understand the importance of trees and make it even easier to get trees in the ground,” said Matt Hill, Cheif Environmental Evangelist, and OneTree Planted Founder. “I wanted to highlight the important work these planting organizations were doing, and get more businesses looking at tree planting as a way to give back,” said Hill.
Trees clean our air and water, create habitats for biodiversity, contribute to our health and wellbeing, and create jobs for social impact. OFS is honored to include reforestation through One Tree Planted as an integral part of our business model and commitment to sustainability.
About OFS:
OFS is a family-owned contract furniture manufacturer dedicated to crafting experiences and products that contribute to places where people want to be. Founded in 1937, OFS provides furniture and logistics solutions for office, healthcare, education, lifestyle, hospitality, government, and home office markets worldwide, offering seating, tables, casegoods, and open plan products. The brands, Carolina and Bryan Ashley are OFS companies. OFS is based in Huntingburg, Indiana.
Contact:
Aaron Estabrook, OFS
(812) 827-3386 | aestabrook@ofs.com
