Oboz Footwear has expanded its partnership with Trees for the Future (www.trees.org) with the Tabora Forest Garden Project in Tanzania, Africa. Since 2007, Oboz has planted a tree for every pair of boots or shoes sold through its partnership with Trees for the Future. To date, they have planted more than three million trees.
“Trees for the Future has been a cornerstone program for Oboz,” said Rich Hohne, Oboz director of marketing. “Through the Tabora Forest Garden Project, we will be able to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the farmers and their families.”
“Forest Gardens” consist of thousands of trees that provide families with food sources, livestock feed, products to sell and, on average, a 400% increase in their annual income over four years, said Oboz.
The four-year project consists of three stages. In the first one to two years, the farmers learn how to protect, stabilize and segment their field by growing “fertilizer” trees and growing a protective barrier, the “Living Fence.” In years two and three, they diversify their fields with a vegetable and fruit tree portfolio to meet the family’s priority nutritional needs and market opportunities. And in years three and four, the farmers learn about advanced Forest Garden management and conservation techniques that optimize the long-term health and productivity of the land. During the next year, Oboz and Trees for the Future will be documenting and sharing progress from the project. www.obozfootwear.com/tabora-project.
In related news, Oboz Footwear is celebrating Earth Day and Arbor Day with its “Throw Some Shade” initiative. Through Sunday, April 26, visitors to Oboz.com can donate a tree in a friend’s name for free.
“On Earth Day and Arbor Day we generally host tree plantings with our dealers and in our community, but this year is different,” said Hohne. “With Throw Some Shade we can maintain social distancing while promoting and supporting our tree planting projects.”
Trees donated through the initiative will be planted on behalf of the donors in Oboz’s Tabora Forest Garden Project.
To donate a tree and Throw Some Shade at a friend, visit www.obozfootwear.com/throw-shade.
