The Green Spa Network (GSN) is rallying spa and wellness executives to help combat climate change — and reach its goal of planting 1 million trees by Earth Day 2019.

The nonprofit trade association is partnering with WeForest for the project, which is its first annual “Action Initiative.”

GSN provides education, resources, and gatherings for the spa and wellness industry. The association is encouraging its members to pledge and contribute to this effort in any of three ways: donate funds to plant new trees through the GSN-WeForest partnership; organize or participate in a local tree planting event; and/or continue an existing tree-planting partnership.

GSN will track its members’ overall progress, and says the effort sends a message to consumers that the industry cares.

Marie-Noelle Keijzer, CEO of WeForest, comments, “Climate change can no longer be ignored, especially when solutions exist…Delighting customers with trees planted as a result of their business is a simple gesture which will make a huge difference to the local communities that live around the forest we restore in Brazil — and help make earth cooler.”

GSN’s Tree Planting Initiative will contribute specifically to WeForest’s project to support the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. Restoring the forest is extremely vital to safeguard the remaining biodiversity and combat the progressive loss of the world’s species and for our climate as well.

The high carbon sequestration potential of second-growth forests in the Latin American tropics means the Atlantic Forest is a key player in the climate change agenda. This project aims to create forest corridors between remaining fragments, increasing tree cover and habitat connectivity for native species. The community-based nurseries, seed collection, and planting activities are under the management of local people who, thanks to this project, are empowered to earn a living while restoring the forest.

Bonnie Baker, President of the GSN Board, adds, “Together with WeForest, GSN hopes to elevate tree planting to a global regeneration movement.”

Follow GSN’s progress and stories using the hashtag #GSNPlantsTrees on social media.