To help restore watershed rainforests near Manila and protect against climate change, Nature Valley employees, with the support of the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources, organized about 400 volunteers, who helped plant 11,200 trees last year.  Nature Valley volunteers helped plant some of the 11,200 trees now taking root in the Philippines. The tree planting event was organized by Nature Valley employees to help restore watershed forests.

Deforestation is a rapidly growing economic and environmental problem throughout much of the world, including the Philippines. Through individual and companywide efforts, General Mills is helping to address deforestation.

A fun run organized by Nature Valley - “1 runner = 1 tree” - was held in conjunction with the planting to address the health and wellness of individuals.

The tree planting was successful as a social event and a team building project, but mostly will have a lasting environmental impact.

Critical habitat After decades of deforestation, forests in the Philippines continue to be under threat from agriculture and urbanization, illegal logging and forest fires, according to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

Sustained forest loss in the Philippines is causing severe soil erosion, and is threatening the country’s rich biodiversity. This is of concern because many of the Philippines’ species, which depend on these forests, cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

“Relieving the pressure on rainforest ecosystems is an urgent issue for the planet we share,” says General Mills Chief Sustainability Officer Jerry Lynch. Commenting on planting of trees in the Philippines, he added, “This is another small step among many we are taking to address that pressure.”

General Mills' business in the Philippines dates back to the end of World War II.

The company employs about 50 people in the Philippines and sells products including Betty Crocker and Pillsbury pancake and baking mixes, Gold Medal flour, Nature Valley granola bars, Old El Paso Mexican meals and Häagen-Dazs super premium ice cream.

 Inside General Mills