Esri's geographic information system (GIS) technology is helping the Arbor Day Foundation inspire more corporate stakeholders to act by building understanding of the vast and overlapping benefits that trees bring to the world. One such example of the power of this approach is the Foundation's work with Williams-Sonoma, Inc.'s (WSI) family of brands.
The partnership began in 2021 with Pottery Barn pledging to fund the planting of 3 million trees in celebration of its long-term commitment to the use of sustainably sourced wood. The success and impact of Pottery Barn's planting efforts prompted several other WSI brands (Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, West Elm, Rejuvenation, and Williams Sonoma Home) to join the cause.
Working as a team, the brands committed to doubling their planting efforts, resulting in an expanded goal of 6 million trees planted by 2023. The strategic reforestation projects supported through the partnership will see trees planted in critical forest ecosystems where they will sequester carbon, bolster biodiversity capacity, and provide cleaner air and water to surrounding areas.
"We simply can't wait to restore forests," said Ben Wilinsky, the Foundation's director of Partnerships and Innovation. "Our Esri tools help to illustrate where corporates are leading on climate action through trees. Many companies are setting carbon and climate neutrality targets, net-zero targets. Trees have a massive role to play in helping companies achieve those targets outside of their operations and inside."