Medley announced a new tree planting initiative in partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) as part of the organization's Small Business Partnership Program. Through this initiative, Medley will make an ongoing contribution to the foundation, donating an estimated three times the number of trees used to make the brand’s furniture, quarterly. The trees planted from the donation aim to not only to provide a carbon benefit but to engender a refreshed lens to view furniture and its relationship with the planet as part of the larger ecosystem.
“We have always been mindful about the materials we select and how best to protect and utilize them for a healthy planet,” says Travis Nagle, Co-Founder of Medley. “In addition to the sustainably-harvested materials used for our furniture, we want to actively donate money toward planting more trees to help curb carbon output and rebuild forests that are impacted by fires."
The tree planting initiative, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation, is a true reflection of Medley’s mission to honor the connection between the materials used in the brand’s furniture and the very environment that made its conception possible. The reforestation initiatives afforded by this relationship directly works to reduce the impact of climate change, harnessing the natural power of trees to absorb CO2 and release breathable oxygen.
“We chose to work with the National Forest Foundation because their approach to sustainability and reforestation aligns with our values,” says Ryan Schultz, Co-Founder of Medley. “We’re drawn to the organization’s transparent strategy of where the actual trees are being donated along with their areas of focus, which are dependent on both long term and short term needs for our environment.”
All products purchased through medleyhome.com will contribute to the brand’s National Forest Foundation donation. Medley will evaluate the number of products sold each quarter and donate 3x the amount of trees used to make each product; Each Alder tree, for example, can make around three Medley sofas or one large sectional. This allows customers to furnish their homes and contribute to a direct positive impact on the environment simultaneously.
The National Forest Foundation has planted more than five million trees in the past year alone, encompassing over 44 tree species, and reforesting more than 18,000 acres across 18 states with the help of donations like these. Its projects span across the nation, covering a large geographic range and priority landscapes including the wildfire-prone regions of California and the Pacific Northwest, where Medley is based. The goals, as aided by programs like Medley’s, focuses on planting for wildfire recovery, wildlife habitat enhancement, watershed health, insect and disease restoration, and more – all while increasing the forests’ resilience to climate change and improving public lands for all.