An Indonesian re-forestation programme – co-founded by a leading UK furniture retailer – has received a boost after the range of sustainable furniture it has designed and sourced is now displayed by over 125 UK retailers in its first six months following launch.

An Indonesian re-forestation programme – co-founded by a leading UK furniture retailer – has received a boost after the range of sustainable furniture it has designed and sourced is now displayed by over 125 UK retailers in its first six months following launch.

Trees4TreesTM is a not-for-profit community reforestation programme, working within Central Java to gift high-value tree saplings to local villages and communities. This increases the proportion of community-owned woodland – helping to tackle the problem of illegal de-forestation of the region's rainforests.

Such has been the success of the Trees4TreesTM initiative that the organisation has launched two new furniture ranges, recruited three new furniture manufacturers and now plans to launch to consumers in the USA, mainland Europe and Russia.

The scheme, which has so far planted 150,000 saplings throughout central Java, has now become self-financing by charging a small nominal levy; the sun, soil and local communities do the rest!

Among the 125 retailers currently signed up are Lombok and Barker & Stonehouse – the latter being one of the key founding partners, instrumental in bringing the furniture range to market.

James Barker, managing director for Barker & Stonehouse said: "Key to the long-term success of the Trees4TreesTM programme is widespread availability of the furniture to consumers.

For too long ethically sourced furniture has commanded a premium price. However, the simplicity and affordability of this scheme seems to have struck a chord with so many retailers that we are now stepping up production and recruiting new manufacturers to the programme.

James added: "Independent retailers have typically been excluded from the ethical furniture market because of the relatively high prices charged by manufacturers for product. This 'ethical' mark up was in turn added onto the final retail price meaning that customers were penalised for trying to do the right thing.

"The great thing about Trees4TreesTM is its simplicity. The charge applied is very low – yet with that money, we can do so much.

"The successful launch of Trees4TreesTM demonstrates that the appetite for high quality, ethically-sourced products remains unabated."

 Trees4TreesTM Farmers Establish 3 Tree Nurseries

Farmer groups participating in the Trees4TreesTM program have established 3 nurseries for tree seedlings.

The first seedlings became visible in June and will be planted later in the year when they have reached a suitable size and the rainy season will provide the best conditions for first growth.

The nurseries are located in the Purbalingga district of Central Java. They are owned and run by farmers, the opening follows 5 months of planning and preparation with Trees4TreesTM staff.

Trees4Trees financed the initial cost of the nurseries that will supply seedlings for all 2009 planting in the Purbalingga area, and so contribute to the farmers’ income from plantation activities already this year.

   
The 3 nurseries owned and run by farmers are located in the villages of Karangreja, bojong, and Patemon on the slopes of Mount Slamet, an active volcano.

The nurseries are placed at different altitudes and provide seedlings proven suitable for the area and altitude.

Karangreja, around 1000-2000 m above sea level, grows pine, Bojong, just below 1000 m, grow sengon and suren, and Patemon, at 200m, provides teak and mahogany. 

  
MoU signing between Trees4TreesTM and Yayasan Al Hidayah at June,1 in Kebumen. The new management unit brings the total  district management units to 14.
   
Introducing Trees4TreesTM staff members  before  signing MoU at Pesantren Al Hidayah-Kebumen

Villagers in Karangtanjung-Kebumen, joining the MoU signing  meeting
MoU signing between T4T and 9 farmers groups in Purbalingga on June, 4
  

All farmer group managers in Purbalingga after signing the MoU 
Identification and mapping of ecological and cultural sites at Kalikidang (Banyumas), June  1-12.
  
Sapu Angin; important place for villagers in Kalikidang for old rituals   which are a combination of islam and the traditional Javanese system. This is an example of the cultural sites that are included in the forest mapping process. 
Preparation of Yayasan Salafiyah  (Pesantren) in Cilacap as a new Area Manager replacing SMK Wanareja (Agriculture School).
MoU signing between Trees4TreesTM and Yayasan Salafiyah (Pesantren) on June  10  in Cilacap
   
Villager crowding the  Pesantern’s  hall to watch  MoU signing process  MoU signing between Trees4TreesTM and Yayasan Salafiyah
Training a new team under Management Unit Cilacap.  Trees4TreesTM basic program on June 11-12.
   
Training in the mapping using GPS, and land marking   Data processing training,  how to input and process field data to the Trees4TreesTM data base
Forest Certification Training for field coordinators with the Management Units Purbalingga, Banyumas, Cilacap,and Kebumen on June 24-25.
  
Learning FSC standards   
Introducing  community forestry to villagers in Bageng (Pati)
Establishing 6 farmer groups in Bageng (Pati)
MoU signing between Trees4TreesTM and 6 farmer groups in Pati on June 4.
  
  Farmer group managers in Bageng/Pati after signed MoU 
 

Preparation of District Kebumen and  Yayasan Al Hidayah (Pesantren)  as a new management unit in 2009. Assessment of the area’s potential  to undertake the program, including the strengths/weaknesses of the institutions in the area.
  
Village Karang Kembang, in district Kebumen 
Training a new team of field coordinators in Kebumen, May 28-29. The Trees4TreesTM basic field coordinator training program.
  
Training for new FC’s in Kebumen 
MoU signing between Trees4TreesTM and a farmer group in Kalikidang (Banyumas)
  
Signing process with  Farmer group 
Introducing  community forestry to villagers in Patemon, Serayu Larangan, Bojanegara, Bojong, Karangreja
Establishing  farmer groups  under Management Unit Purbalingga (Patemon, Serayu Larangan, Bojanegara, Bojong, Karangreja)
   
Socialization program in Bojong   Establishing of farmer group in Karanggreja
 

Community forestry was introduced to villagers in klumpit village, Pati district, and in Kalikidang, Banyumas district. A Forestry Management Unit , the basic management unit of a certified forest, was established in Klumpit.

PT. Albasia Bhumiphala Persada (ABP) which is located in District of Temanggung and District of Batang, Central Java is a factory that processing Paraserianthes falcataria or Albasia timber. The processor is interested in planting program conducted by Trees4Trees. In retaliation with its interest, several meetings are performed, also visit of Trees4Trees team to PT. ABP on Jalan Raya Kedu Km. 03, Temanggung. The meeting results a cooperation design on the development of Albasia and its production in Trees4Trees' working area.

Trees4Trees team is discussing with management of PT. ABP.

A staff of PT. ABP is explaining the requirement of Albasia.

Trees4Trees delegation is photographed in front of products of PT. ABP.

Training of Field Coordinator in Permanent Sample Plot measurement
Establishing  Permanent Sample Plots.  Total 32 plots measured in the Management Units in  Jepara, Magelang, and Banyumas
  
Tree height measurement training
  
Tree health evaluation