Read More Books, Plant More Native Trees

Giant Redwood stand at Te Mata Peak, Havelock North.

Why Mrs Blackwell's Village Bookshop Supports Trees That Count

I don't think I'm alone when I say that I sometimes (ok, often!) tune out when I hear about charitable programs run by other companies. 

So many large companies use greenwashing and charitable affiliations to try to improve their image, I’ve become quite skeptical. It feels almost de rigeur for any business — large or small — to choose a charitable cause to associate themselves with, whether they truly care about it or not.

So I quite understand the forces I’m up against when I want to let people know that Mrs Blackwell’s supports Trees That Count. 

In all of my business ventures, it's been a goal to use some of the business's profits to contribute to a program or charity that makes the world better. But I didn't want the connection between my business and the charity to be arbitrary.

Conserving nature — especially trees — is important for our future, for all of us. Across the globe and across generations. And since we sell mostly paper products (and would like to continue to be able to sell physical, paper books for many years to come!) supporting trees seems like a natural fit.

The writer visits General Sherman - the world’s biggest living redwood tree.

Why Trees That Count?

Until I started working with Trees That Count I always assumed that a tree was just a tree — nice enough, to be sure, but all created more or less equal. 

But native trees have unique character and interaction with their environment. Native trees, by definition, are species of trees historically found in a particular location. In places like New Zealand, Australian and North America, the term usually applies to species of trees that pre-date the arrival of European settlers. They've adapted to their environment over a longer period of time, they protect and provide for native species, and in general they are easier to grow and less susceptible to disease.

Greytown is a very tree-friendly village. We are home of New Zealand's first Arbor Day so supporting trees comes very naturally here, and supporting native trees seemed like a perfect match.

How we support Trees That Count at the Village Bookshop

If you’re feeling a little more friendly toward native trees now, too, here’s how we — and you — can support them.

We sell the TTC Tree Snap game, a new card game that hones New Zealanders’ knowledge of conservation and te reo Māori at the same time.

Each deck of cards includes illustrations and information about some of Aotearoa’s most iconic native trees. Featured trees include the iconic pōhutukawa, kauri, and twelve others.

But the very best part: the sale of each pack of Tree Snap funds the planting of one new native tree.

Or you can buy a sock monkey - the full sale value goes direct to Trees That Count. Admittedly, the supply of sock monkeys has slowed somewhat as this one woman factory has been occupied with other things but the monkeys still pop up in store from time to time and I do take custom requests.

We also support Trees that Count through our online sales, donating $1 for every package we send to offset the environmental costs of shipping and during the month of December we ask for a gold coin donation in exchange for our gift wrapping services.

We’re donating to a foundation that plants trees … because our lives depend on it.

The writer sits below a historic tree in Redwood National Park.

One of the most impactful moments of my life was standing below a 1600 year old Redwood tree in Northern California. 

I'd be delighted to think that one day someone may have the chance to stand below a 1000 year old Kauri or Totara that my bookshop is partly responsible for. 

From the air we breathe to the water we drink and the wood we use, trees are essential to our survival. Trees have been good to us, so we’re happy to return the favour!