Rooted in Nature: Why We're Committed to Environmental Stewardship

Since the inception of Harmonic Arts in 2009, our mission of sharing the healing power of plant medicine is intrinsically linked to supporting the health of our planet. Through our core values of continuous improvement and sustainable action, we see it as our responsibility to find ways to be the change we want to see in the world. Rooted in nature, and committed to environmental stewardship, we are proud partners of 1% for the Planet, and we directly support the conservation efforts of the Cumberland Community Forest Society.

  

What is 1% for the Planet?

1% for the Planet represents a global network of businesses, individuals and environmental partners tackling our planet's most pressing environmental issues. Since its inception in 2002, 1% for the Planet has supported the direction of millions of dollars to environmental initiatives around the world. Their biggest goal is to protect the future of our planet.

To learn more about 1% For the Planet, and how businesses across the globe are supporting environmental efforts, click here.

 

The Cumberland Community Forest Society

The Cumberland Community Forest Society (CCFS) is a champion of land conservation and ecological stewardship in the village of Cumberland, BC, and surrounding region. The society is supported by individuals, organizations and businesses from across the region and beyond. Their efforts directly support ecosystem health, drinking water protection, and community climate resilience. 

Since the year 2000, CCFS has been purchasing and protecting privately owned forest lands surrounding the Village of Cumberland in the unceded territory of the K’omoks First Nation. To date, CCFS has acquired over 550 acres of land, protecting it through conservation covenants. Not only that, but they have expanded their impact to include environmental stewardship projects, as well as strategic leadership in regional watershed protection, sustainable economic development, and community climate resilience efforts. 

At Harmonic Arts, we’re just as committed to protecting our local ecosystem for future generations. We proudly make annual donations to CCFS, along with supporting their annual Cumberland Fungus Fest, and annual Earth Week Festival. 

 

 

Why is This Important?

Almost all of the forest surrounding our community is privately owned and designated for timber and forestry purposes. This is part of a 150-year-old deal made by the colonizers of Vancouver Island. Since the late 90’s, the people of Cumberland have been working to change the fate of the forest by connecting with its history and the original stewards of the land, educating our community on the importance of the forest, starting the Cumberland Community Forest Society, and fundraising to return the forest to the community.

What we Risk Losing

The Forest holds infinite value, as it improves the quality of life of our community in more ways than one. Not only is it home to a variety of well-loved walking and biking trails, but it contains diverse ecosystems that cultivate resilience and effortlessly work to remove carbon from our atmosphere, drawing it back down to the earth.

Harvested about 120 years ago, the Cumberland Forest is a second growth forest. With time and care, CCFS would like to eventually see it graduate to old growth status. Temperate rainforests are integral to addressing climate change, especially as they get older and more established. These trees help hold water and release it slowly throughout the nearby ecosystems. This supports the resilience of all living things by protecting vulnerable creatures from heat domes and allowing fish to thrive so they can feed animals all the way up the food chain.

A Race Against Time

People tend to flock to beautiful places, and this drives up the land value, making it more challenging to purchase. CCFS’ Executive Director, Meaghan Cursons has said that it’s a race against time to protect this forest as remaining viable as a land purchaser becomes more difficult. The CCFS is shifting perceptions about the value of these forest lands, to one that values ecological integrity over extractive or commercial values.

We share in the belief that the Cumberland Forest is worth more to our community standing than as timber. We’re grateful to have access to such a beautiful place that nourishes our well-being, and it’s important to us that we support the work CCFS is doing.

 

Harmonic Arts’ Contributions

We strongly believe in the power of environmental action and strive to carry out our mission in ways that give back to the earth. Inspired by the actions of CCFS, we have found several ways to support their work in our hometown of Cumberland, BC. Here is an outline of our contributions over the years:

2013-2016: We raised close to $10,000 in donations from our Artisan Tea Sales and donations from the Vancouver Island Herb Gathering.

2017-2018: We donated profits from all our tea blends to the forest initiative in a campaign we called #teafortrees. This allowed us to raise an additional $10,000.

2019-2024: To date, we've raised over $79,000 in funds to support the Cumberland Community Forest Society.

Click here to donate to the Cumberland Community Forest Society.

 

Planet-Friendly Products that Give Back

When you enjoy Harmonic Arts Artisan Teas or Herbal Lattes, 1% of every sale goes directly toward supporting the Cumberland Community Forest Society. Our Teas and Herbal Lattes have been uniquely crafted for taste and health benefits. Using only the highest quality organic and wild harvested herbs, we draw inspiration from our sweet little mountain town with a big love for nature. Both products feature compostable packaging, and our Artisan Tea bags are carbon neutral.

Help save the trees by shopping our Herbal Lattes and Artisan Teas.