For every new car sold, Honda funds the planting of ten native trees.
In 2004, Honda New Zealand initiated the TreeFund, which funds the planting of 10 native trees for every new car sold, and individual Honda agents fund a further three trees. The funded native trees are planted locally in the customers purchase region, in association with local Regional Councils. The Honda TreeFund has proven extremely successful, with over 415,000 native trees funded since its inception, creating a veritable forest.
The TreeFund was developed to assist in the restoration of bio-diversity. It provides an opportunity for customers to become involved in the greening of their own local community and encourage local bio-diversity.
Honda purchasers and the wider public are also welcome to donate to the Honda TreeFund and can join in on tree planting days with Honda staff and their local Regional Council.
Planting days are dependant on timing of council programmes.
Projects operating under the TreeFund must be within the following criteria: plants are to be NZ natives and may be used to support any of the following:
* Establishment of native tree populations (trees + required protecting cover)
* Water run off control
* Erosion control
* Regional Parks or other planting for beautification
* Biodiversity protection and restoration
* Urban stream enhancement
* Coastal protection and restoration planting
* The Cancer Society SunSmart School's Accreditation Programme
Financial Year 2004/2005 = 76,089 native trees funded
Financial Year 2005/2006 = 78,278 native trees funded
Financial Year 2006/2007 = 83,358 native trees funded
Financial Year 2007/2008 = 78,431 native trees funded
Financial Year 2008/2009 = 69,291 native trees funded
Financial Year 2009/2010 = 31,868 native trees funded (recession period)
To see how many trees are accumulating, check out our Treefund calculator at http://www.honda.co.nz/site/tree_counter/index....
Nick Hewlett 25°
I applaud Honda for this initiative in New Zealand by planting Native trees. More needs to be done in this area as globally we cannot replace trees at the rate they are being cut down. A regrown or planted forest for timber or pulp only harbours 8% of the natural wildlife that a Native forest harbours. China for instance imports 100 million tons of pulp annually of which a high proportion comes from Native Forests, and we are now seeing the global results of this.
source www.stonepaper.co.nz