Photographing environmental issues for a sustainable future.
Posts Tagged ‘community service’
Earthkeeping in Poland
On June 8, 54 Earthkeepers in Poland from Timberland and Marketing Investment Group headed out to the forest, the garden and the mountainside to wish Mother Nature a happy belated Earth Day. By breaking up into 6 groups and serving at a number of different service sites, the Earthkeepers in Poland were able to fix up trails, restore infrastructure and fences, clear out illegal dumping sites, protect a bridge and help with flood cleanup. All of this dedicated work took place at the nursery-garden Falsztyn, Homole Gully/Pieniny Mountains, White Water Preserve, Black Water Preserve and the Jaworki Forest.
At the Homole Gully/Pieniny Mountains service site, 5,400 liters of rubbish, pipe, bathtub pieces, and linoleum were collected, sorted and prepared for recycling. And at the White Water Preserve, 480 liters of rubbish was removed from the green landscape.
In total, the Timberland Poland team members completed 500 hours of service. We applaud the Earthkeepers in Poland for their hard work in celebration of our shared planet.
We Came, We Saw, We Got Good and Dirty
One of the reasons Timberland is a Great Place to Work is because of the opportunities we have to go out and do good things in our communities and for our environment … as a team, on company time. Here’s a flavor of the positive impact (and fun) we had last week on Earth Day:
Local Community Engagement – What’s Your Idea?
Green Mountain Coffee and Ashoka’s Changemakers have come together to find and help fund the most innovative ideas that strengthen and improve communities in Maine, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut or Massachusetts.
Why do we think this is a cool idea? At Timberland, we’re committed to engaging with the people and environment where we live and work. We want our business impact to leave a positive footprint, and our employees often lead community service projects in our own backyard – whether it be near our New Hampshire-based Headquarters (like this week’s upcoming Earth Day activities) or in offices, stores, and other locations around the world.
It makes sense – as an outdoor company, our mission is to equip people to make their difference in the world. And that’s why through programs like Timberland’s Path of Service, all full time employees get 40 paid hours to give back to the community – in ways that are meaningful to them.
Green Mountain Coffee and Ashoka’s Changemakers Revelation to Action competition embodies the same principles that we espouse. This week is the last week to submit ideas for the competition. Nominations are eligible for grants (that will total $50,000 when combined, in addition to other prizes).
I’ve agreed to be a judge for this competition because it’s aligned with Timberland’s values, but also because it allows everyday citizens to get engaged in their communities – and that is what Earthkeeping is all about. Submissions will be judged according to criteria that prioritizes innovation, social impact, and sustainability. The most innovative projects that inspire others to help make their community a better place to live will win.
So what are you waiting for? Do you have a great idea? Or do you want to help decide which projects are worthy? Use your voice to help me and my fellow judges Bill McKibben, Newman’s Own Michael Havad and Brown University’s Alan Harlam decide which local New England projects should win.
And don’t forget, Timberland’s Earthkeeper community also provides lots of opportunities for everyday citizens to help companies make responsible decisions. Visit our Voices of Challenge dialogue to have your say it comes to Timberland’s climate change, product stewardship, workplaces, and community engagement programs.
Beth Holzman
CSR Strategy & Reporting Manager, Timberland
Painting, Progress and Puppies
This is the final update from Timberland Earthkeeper Lynn Woodrum, who spent last week lending her time and energy to rebuilding efforts in New Orleans. Our thanks to Lynn, and fellow Earthkeeper MacKenzie Mosca, for sharing their experience with us .
Friday, November 13
The day started well with our team getting a lot of our house project completed. With the inside mostly finished, it was time to give the outside a new coat of sea green paint. The house really came a long way from Monday, with only one room we didn’t finish – the handicap-accessible bathroom which professionals need to do.
A fresh coat of paint finishes the house project
All week a little puppy had visited us at the house site, she was so cute. The owner came over on Friday and offered to give the puppy to an electrician (Steve) who worked with all of us and the Rebuilding Together group. Needless to say it was a tearful moment… he named his new puppy Holly, as the house is located on Hollygrove St.
Steve and new puppy, Holly
About 12:30 we wrapped up the day and said our goodbyes to the Rebuilding Together employees and to Ms. Alice (the new home owner) and her family. Another tearful moment. Then we went back to the garden project and what a sight it was! The last time I was there was on Monday, and it looked so different. A walkway had been added, more fruit trees, a trench dug, and the privacy fence started. It was just beautiful!
I feel like I walked away with many new lifelong friends and helped to rebuild a community. I think that In Good Company gave back hope to many families by just being there; showing people that there are others out there willing to get dirty, and help others. My week in New Orleans showed me how much I have, and how important family is to me. If there is ever a chance to help again, I hope that more people will get involved and experience this opportunity!
- Lynn Woodrum
Bayou Rebirth
Let me start by saying I am very afraid of water.
Today, we joined a wetlands restoration organization — Bayou Rebirth — and were able to go canoeing in a swamp to view the different types of marsh, trees, and wildlife (birds). So, MacKenzie and I pulled on our boots and were a canoe team. She had done it before … for myself, refer back to the first sentence of this blog post. Thank goodness for MacKenzie for getting me out of there alive!
The canoe ride lasted about 2 hours, and then we all loaded up to go plant some marsh and other brush for the water to build up and restore some of the habitats. We actually saw an alligator today, but it was far away — don’t worry! We also went to the spillway to view the levee, large ships, and barges. It was another wonderful day … but just so everyone knows I will probably not do the canoeing thing again.
- Lynn Woodrum
Congratulations to Timberland Earthkeeper Lynn for making it safely back to dry land … and our thanks to her for continuing to share updates from her week-long service sabbatical in New Orleans .
Moving Pictures
Thanks to Timberland Earthkeepers Lynn and MacKenzie for the following update and photos documenting their week-long service sabbatical in New Orleans :
Today was a fantastic day! The day started @ 7 am with breakfast, then everyone loaded into 5 vans and off for a day of working. We have 2 projects for the week, The garden project, and the house project. I went to the garden project today, where we shoveled and sifted dirt to be used for fruit trees and vegetables and removed weeds and debris to make way for a privacy fence still to be built.
Everyone’s help is needed at the house project, trying to get it ready for the family to move into it this week. The house needs a lot of TLC – painting, caulking, adding new trim, and the list goes on! I went over and helped with the caulking on the outside of the house, and hopefully if the rain goes away we’ll be able to do some outside painting tomorrow.
My new found friends make each project so much fun!
This is very short and sweet, as supper is ready – pasta night – and I can’t wait to lay down!
- Lynn Woodrum
Photos by MacKenzie Mosca:
The levee. The Mississippi River is on the other side.
Redevelopment in progress.
Boarded up, but inhabited nonetheless.
