Happy April! We hope you all had a lovely Easter. April is also the dedicated month to celebrate Earth Day, and the theme for this year is ‘Restore Our Earth.’ One of the most effective ways we can do this, is by replenishing the world’s forests. 

This month your orders are helping to plant trees in India, specifically for the Adivasi Bhatra Tribe. This indigenous community heavily relies on forests for food security and livelihood. They use trees for medicines, fuel, firewood, food and drink, housing materials and food for livestock. The planting of trees in this area will boost the rural economy, and help bring some life back into the community. 

The trees being planted will also include fruit bearing native species. These will improve the overall habitat and fruit abundance for the wildlife, and enhance ecosystems. 

As well as this, a plantation of bamboo will be created, which will act as a bio-fence to guard the crop field, reducing human-wildlife conflict incidences. 

Although every day is Earth Day here at The Drifting Bear HQ, today is the perfect opportunity to really reflect, and make a conscious effort to protect this incredible big ball we all live on.

Little by little, we will help save this planet. 🌱🌎💚

I think it's safe to say that we've all become a lot more aware of our own health recently and what we can do to help feel rested and relaxed.  The importance of sleep is such a key factor in keeping healthy that we thought we'd share some of our own tips today on World Sleep Day!

We can’t believe how fast this year seems to be going already! Those few days of warm weather have made us even more excited for the Spring and Summer time.

This month, the trees from all of your lovely orders will be planted in Tanzania, East Africa. Specifically, the Eastern Arc Mountains, which are a global diversity hot spot. This means we must maintain the biodiversity, especially with the population continuing to grow in this area. The people need building materials, cooking fuel, and other tree products to survive, so by assuring adequate tree availability to the communities, we can avoid the unsustainable use of the Reserves. 

We love knowing exactly where in the world the trees are being planted each month. It really makes every order that comes through that little bit more special! 

Thank you for your endless support, and remember that with every day, we are one step closer to these strange times coming to an end. 💚

A couple's first anniversary is traditionally celebrated with paper and we have a wide range of prints that will help you remember that first special year of marriage!

Our unique selection of wedding prints include a whole variety of styles and themes that can be customised with names, locations, dates and heartfelt words.

We’d like to say a HUGE thank you for all of your orders over this month, and Valentines Day especially! It may have been celebrated slightly differently this year, but that didn’t stop the love from spreading far and wide.

This month we continued our mission to help save the planet, by having trees planted in Nicaragua (Central America). The project in this area involves small-scale farming families planting trees in exchange for payments for ecosystem services. Through better land-use management and more sustainable use of forest resources, the project increases the forest cover of the nearby watershed, and improves the quality of life of Nicaraguan farmers. 

Your orders have helped to plant 1,937 trees in this area...wow! We’re absolutely over the moon about this, and we hope you are too!

Sending love from all of us at The Drifting Bear Co.

A new year, new mindset, and one step closer towards a new sense of freedom. As difficult as it may be, we hope you are all continuing to stay positive…the light is finally at the end of this long tunnel!

If you are in need of a dose of positivity, you might like to know that this month your orders have been helping to plant trees in Nepal. This is a diverse nation with an abundance of wildlife and dramatic landscapes, including breathtaking snow-capped mountains and hot tropical planes. Chitwan National Park alone hosts more than 700 species of wildlife, including leopards and the elusive Bengal tiger. Therefore it is extremely important that we preserve the habitats and ecosystems of this area. Reforestation not only helps to do this, but also improves the local livelihoods.

THANK YOU for all your orders this month…January is usually a quieter few weeks, but this year we have been overwhelmed by the continued love and support. 

Stay safe and keep your head up! xx

We can't quite believe it, another festive season is here and we've reached the last month of a year that I think everyone will remember for a very long time.  Through the highs and lows of 2020 one thing has been constant here at Drifting Bear HQ, your support in helping us to plant trees around the world that make a true difference to our planet.

This month your orders will go towards planting trees in the Amazon Rainforest, home to almost 30% of plant and animal species on Earth, so a pretty important place to protect!

Between 15 and 17 percent of the Amazon rainforest has been lost, and if the amount of cleared forest land reaches 25 percent, there won't be enough trees cycling moisture through the rainforest. That will cause the rainforest to dry out and degrade into a savanna.

Working with local farmers this tree planting project will help protect the Amazon's biodiverse environment which plays a critical role in the fight against climate change around the world.

A big thank you again to every customer who has ordered with us this year, we hope that however you are spending this festive season, you and your family are well and looking forward to a positive 2021!

© Image One Tree Planted

With only two months left to go of this year, we're set on making them good ones! Something bringing a smile to our faces each day is the thought of your orders helping to create a difference all across the world.

This month we will be working with our partners to plant trees in Brazil. The Atlantic Forest (Mata Atlantica), once spanned 130 million hectares across Brazil, but due to deforestation for timber, sugar cane, coffee and urbanisation, it now covers only 12% of its original area.

Being one of the top five priority conservation areas in the world, it is home to over 20,000 species of plant and 2,000 animal species. On top of protecting the wildlife, planting trees in this tropical rainforest ecosystem will also help to restore critical watersheds, providing clean air and water to the 120+ people who now live in and around the Atlantic Forest. 

We'd like to send each one of you a big virtual hug to say thank you for your endless support. We hope you're all doing okay, and that this brings a small piece of positivity to your day! ✨

As we approach the last part of the year I think it's fair to say that 2020 has been a bit of a rollercoaster! Feelings of fear, anxiety and concern mixed in with relief and hope have left us all feeling rather exhausted here at the Drifting Bear so we think it's important, more than ever, to focus on maintaining good mental wellbeing.

10th October 2020 is World Mental Health Day so we wanted to share some useful tips for keeping your mental health in check during these uncertain times, they have helped us out and we hope they bring you some comfort too...

1. Sleep - As tempting as it is in these times of non stop news and information, getting a good nights sleep is vital to allow your body and mind to recharge.  

2. Exercise - It doesn't have to be a marathon, just simply going for a walk around your neighbourhood will help relieve stress.

3. Hobbies - Always wanted to learn an instrument or fancied knitting all your Christmas presents this year? Now is the perfect time to give something new a go, not only will it help occupy your mind but it will boost your confidence too!

4. Nature - Go for a walk along the coast or just a wander in your local park, being out in the fresh air and enjoying nature will help give a fresh perspective on your day.

5. Socialising - It's still possible to be social whilst being socially distant.  Find the time to connect with family and friends by arranging phone calls, video chats or perhaps be a bit more old school and write a letter! Not only will the connection make you feel better, it will make your friends and family feel great too!

We are donating £1 from each sale of our new range of mindful mugs to the mental health charity Mind. If you know someone who is in need of a little boost (and some tea!) please do go check out the range.

We'd love to hear how you have been keeping positive during these difficult times so do get in touch.

* Image courtesy of 'One Tree Planted'