Earthkeepers^®: Earthkeepers^® Deepen Their Relationship with the Outdoors 2011

Timberland continues Earthkeeping, this time with help from winners of the Earthkeepers^® 2011 Photography Contest "OUTDOORS: Where relationships are made".

On Earth Day last year, we planted our one-millionth tree in Horqin Desert, Inner Mongolia. Pledged to planting another two million trees in the next decade, we moved forward this year with a 70-strong team of enthusiastic Timberland Global Stewards, staff and members of the media and winners of the Earthkeepers^® Photography and Blogging Contest. Together, we planted 1600 trees.

Roughly the size of Switzerland, Horqin Desert is located in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of Tongliao. Unfortunately over the past 30 years, desertification caused by drought, deforestation and overgrazing has reduced it from pasture to desert. Determined to reverse the desertification process and empower Horqin locals with responsibility for their own land, Timberland works closely with Green Network, a Japan-based Non-governmental Organisation, to recreate a sustainable future for Horqin.

Planting A Green Utopia In Horqin

Organised annually in August, this year's Horqin Reforestation Project goes further by involving 7 contest winners from China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, and Hong Kong in the tree-planting experience. Everyone worked hard planting pine saplings and pruning poplar trees. On top of these activities, sharing sessions were also conducted with locals to gain greater understanding on the effects of desertification and how reforestation has positively impacted the lives of the inhabitants of the land.

Capturing Nature's Beauty In Jiuzhaigou

Winners were also rewarded with a trip to one of UNESCO's most beautiful natural heritage sites – Jiuzhaigou – where they embarked on a nature appreciation of the great outdoors through photography. Selected photos taken during the trip, as well as other winning images from the photography contest will be launched in the form of a coffee table book in November 2011.

A Pictorial Journey

Timberland Earthkeepers^® Collection

Committed in minimising environmental impact, The Timberland Earthkeepers^® Collection aims to create durable, recyclable products made from eco-preferred materials. In fact, more than 50% of the materials that make up any Earthkeepers^® footwear or clothing are recycled, renewable and organic. Check out the latest from our Earthkeepers^® Collection, available in our product catalogues here.