Company has planted 6.5 million trees, sets goal of donating 500,000 more by end of 2015

SEATTLE, Wash. – April 16, 2015 – In celebration of Earth Day, Eddie Bauer is excited to announce, in association with American Forests, a goal of planting 500,000 trees in 2015.  This initiative marks the 20th anniversary of Eddie Bauer’s “Add a Dollar, Plant a Tree” campaign with American Forests. The program to date has resulted in the planting of more than 6.5 million trees in over 150 unique ecosystems across the U.S. and Canada.

“As a brand born in the outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, conservation has been at the center of our mission. We are very proud of our 20-year partnership with American Forests,” states Mike Egeck, Chief Executive Officer for Eddie Bauer. “Because of the generosity of our customers, we have been able to plant in excess of 6.5 million trees so that future generations will be able to enjoy exploring the outdoors as much as we do today.”

Eddie Bauer’s 20-year partnership with American Forests is the most successful reforestation project by a retail business in the United States. The 6.5 million trees planted to date are estimated to be worth $110 million in improved air quality as a result of absorbing pollutants such as ozone and nitrogen oxides from the air, $16 million in sequestered carbon dioxide, and $20 million in improved water quality.

Eddie Bauer also collected $500,000 to help fund the “Memorial Groves” program that planted a tree in honor of every victim of 9/11, and helped fund the Mountains to Sound Greenway, which planted 2 million trees in the Seattle region.

“For 20 years, Eddie Bauer has been an indispensable collaborator in helping to build our Global ReLeaf program,” said Scott Steen, President and CEO of American Forests. “Together with their customers, they have planted millions of trees, restored thousands of acres of forestland and provided habitat for tens of thousands of animals. We are enormously grateful for their deep commitment to the environment and look forward to expanding our partnership in the years ahead.”

Eddie Bauer kicks off its 20th anniversary celebration with an Earth Week campaign starting April 17, and invites everyone to join the cause. Customers can donate to American Forests directly through Eddie Bauer’s custom microsite or “Add a Dollar, Plant a Tree” during checkout both online and in-store. To close out Earth Week, Eddie Bauer will plant a tree for every customer transaction made on April 21 & 22.

To learn more about Eddie Bauer’s “Add a Dollar, Plant a Tree” program benefitting American Forests, or to find a local Eddie Bauer store in your area, please visit http://www.eddiebauer.com/.

 

###

 

About American Forests

American Forests’ mission is to restore threatened forest ecosystems and inspire people to value and protect urban and wildland forests. Since 1990, American Forests has completed work on more than 1000 projects throughout the U.S. and in 45 countries.  As the oldest national conservation organization in the U.S., American Forests celebrates its 140th anniversary this year and is on track to plant its 50 millionth tree. Learn more at www.americanforests.org.

 

About Eddie Bauer

Established in 1920 in Seattle, Eddie Bauer is a specialty retailer that sells premium-quality outerwear, apparel, footwear, gear and accessories for the active outdoor lifestyle. Eddie Bauer is an internationally recognized brand known for its innovative product designs and exceptional customer service. Eddie Bauer products are available through catalog sales, online at www.eddiebauer.com, and at approximately 400 stores in the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Southeast Asia.