Villanovo & A Tree for You: an eco-responsible partnership

Although still in their early stages, Villanovo’s efforts to encourage a more sustainable approach to tourism have moved forward with the announcement of our partnership with A Tree For You, committing to one tree planted for every reservation made.

We take a closer look at their work and their environmental benefits.
 

A Tree for You, the genesis

In 2014, amid growing public interest in environmental issues, Gérald Feldzer, a former Air France pilot and expert in transport and aviation, came up with the idea of a programme that would offer everyone the chance to sponsor tree-planting projects in France and around the world. Just a few years later, the association A Tree For You was born, followed by the launch of a website in 2018, allowing both individuals and companies to make donations directed to various forestry and agroforestry programmes. Selected by a committee of independent experts, these programmes must meet a set of mandatory standards in respect of water cycle, soil enrichment, carbon capture, as well as in terms of benefits for the local population and biodiversity. With more than 40 projects worldwide and thousands of trees planted thanks to the participation of over 100,000 private donors, the operation is a clear success!

The benefits of planting trees

AIR

Trees help to clean the air we breathe. Through their leaves and bark, they absorb harmful pollutants and release pure oxygen for us to breathe. In urban environments, trees absorb polluting gases such as nitrogen oxides, ozone and carbon monoxide, and remove particles such as dust and smoke. Rising carbon dioxide levels caused by deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels trap heat in the atmosphere. Healthy, strong trees act as carbon sinks, reducing the effects of climate change.

 

WATER

Trees play a key role in capturing rainwater and reducing the risk of natural disasters such as floods and landslides. Their complex root systems act as filters, removing pollutants and slowing the absorption of water into the soil. This process prevents, reduces the risk of oversaturation and flooding. According to the Food and Agriculture Association of the United Nations, one evergreen tree can capture more than 15,000 litres of water each year.

 

BIODIVERSITY AND LOCAL POPULATIONS

A single tree can be home to hundreds of species of insects, fungi, moss, mammals, useful plants and bacteria, thus contributing to the overall wealth of biodiversity.
From a social point of view, agroforestry projects create economic stimulus by creating jobs, helping local people, who become the first protectors of the plantations.

Villanovo is committed to sustainable tourism

Looking to contribute to the various ecological projects aimed at combating global warming, Villanovo joined the A Tree for You initiative in 2022. This eco-responsible partnership gave birth to "One reservation = one tree planted", thus enabling customers to participate in the reforestation operations carried out by the association. Villanovo is now the proud sponsor of the Mahavotra project in Madagascar, which helps develop the sensitive Lake Itasy region and its 700 farming families.
 
Find out more about A Tree For You’s project in Madagascar, click here.