Today I'll be blogging about this really amazing Community Involvement Project I found on the net ; The Timberland® Earthkeepers Horqin Desert Reforestation Project!

Ok I'll be real honest with you, this is actually a blogging competition for a chance to win an opportunity to take part in this Project that's going to be on the 14th to 20th August 2011! However, competition aside, I honestly feel this is a really meaningful project taking place and it deserves the recognition that it deserves from the oblivious humans around us.

So, firstly, where on Earth is this Horqin Desert? And what's happening?

Basically, Horqin Desert is located in Tongliao, Inner Mongolia, and it's a vast plot of land once known for its grasslands and fertile soil.

As most of you know, Mongolians are well known for their agricultural activities and the rearing of livestock such as cattle. Although a traditional activity, their rate of production has increased to rather unhealthy levels, and problems like overcultivation and overgrazing ensued.

Those who study Geography should have learnt this, known as man made desertification, the absence of plants in the infertile soil meant there weren't roots to hold the soil together, resulting in loose soil and sand storms.

Reportedly, the Horqin Desert is expanding at a rate of 10,000 sq km per year, meaning that what's left of the pastures will soon disappear if actions are not taken.


How does Timberland® come into the picture?

Due to the widely publicised plight of our dear Earth in recent years through events like Earth Hour and various documentaries, 'Going Green' has become one of the many business trends in the 21st Century.

Known as corporate evironmental responsibility, various companies big and small have been taking steps to help the environment, although not quite like what Timberland is attempting in the recent decade.

Since 2001, Timberland has been visiting this particular plot of land in Horqin (Now dubbed Timberland Forest) to plant trees in efforts to slow down desertification. In 2010, they have officially planted their 1 Millionth Tree!

Seriously! One million trees! Do you even have enough determination to count from 1 to 1 million? I don't even know how long that'll take let alone planting it physically!

They have also coined a term for their environmental 'ambassadors'. Timberland Earthkeepers! Basically a Keeper is usually a name for a guardian or protector of some sort. So the meaning of Earthkeeper goes without saying :)

It is also the name for their environmentally friendly range of products.

For example, the shoes in this range have their soles and made from used tyres!

...Gives 'reducing your carbon footprint' a whole new meaning doesn't it? Hahahaa

....okayyyy really bad pun but it makes sense (rightttt?).