SKOKIE, Ill. – Grand Trunk, an Illinois-based outdoor gear manufacturer, announced today that it has entered into a partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF), a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to conserving and restoring America’s National Forests. Under the partnership, Grand Trunk will make a contribution to forest restoration every time a customer selects the National Forest Foundation during online checkout. For all purchases over $20 made at www.grandtrunkgoods.com, Grand Trunk will contribute 5 percent of each sale to select charities, of which the NFF is the only nonprofit dedicated to on-the-ground conservation. 

“Grand Trunk is honored and excited to partner with the National Forest Foundation. Any time we have the opportunity to make a positive impact in the outdoors we are happy to do so – it’s critical for our world and our business. Long-term awareness and forest sustainability is something we should all be concerned about,” said Jon Neff, Grand Trunk’s co-owner and vice president of sales. “It’s our goal to help plant as many trees as possible and increase awareness for this great foundation.” 

The NFF addresses the conservation and stewardship challenges that face our 193 million acres of National Forests and Grasslands. To date, the NFF has worked with its partners to leverage nearly $100 million in public and private funding to enhance recreation trails, restore critical watersheds, improve wildlife habitat and engage communities in caring for our National Forests. 

With the contributions Grand Trunk makes on behalf of its customers, the NFF will plant trees in places where fire, insects, and disease have caused mortality at a scale large enough to require active replanting. According to NFF President Bill Possiel, “The NFF’s goal is to restore the natural diversity of tree species and the full range of ecosystem services that healthy forests provide. Climate change, drought, and the historical exclusion of fire make forests increasingly vulnerable, and make our work ever more critical.” The NFF is a leader in forest conservation nationwide, having planted hundreds of thousands of trees across the nation.

NFF restoration projects are revitalizing the many ecosystem values in places like California’s San Bernardino National Forest and Colorado’s Pike National Forest, where wildfires have devastated the landscape and caused subsequent erosion and sedimentation problems. Planting trees not only beautifies the landscape, but also rebuilds healthy wildlife habitat, protects critical watersheds, enhances recreation experiences, and helps address global warming. 

“Being a manufacturer of outdoor equipment, travel products, and lifestyle products, our customers expect us to be involved in our industry and National Forests are one of our favorite playgrounds,” Neff said. “It’s our responsibility and pleasure to be ambassadors and not only have our company be involved, but also spread this message to our customers.” 

About Grand Trunk Goods Grand Trunk, formerly The Travel Hammock, was established in early 2002 after two adventurous entrepreneurs met while backpacking in Thailand. Based on their shared love of an outdoor lifestyle The Travel Hammock was born and later became Grand Trunk – “Goods for the Road.” As The Travel Hammock has evolved into Grand Trunk, our product selection has grown to meet the needs of the popular outdoor market. We sell what we love and that has been the driving force behind our growing business. We are continually working hard to find new and exciting products to bring to the outdoor market to provide top-notch service to our customers. To learn more, visit www.grandtrunkgoods.com.