(openPR) - Seattle, United States, December 23, 2011 -- Forestry Research Associates has spoken out in support of Marc by Marc Jacobs' backing of the Nature Conservancy's 'Plant and Billion Trees' campaign.

The campaign is intended to help boost the number of trees in the Atlantic forest region of Brazil, which is an area of highly endangered tropical forest. “Eyewear label, Marc by Marc Jacobs, is making a clear and positive statement about the influence that fashion can have on environmental issues, given some intelligent direction and an understanding of the cause,” claimed FRA’s analysis partner, Peter Collins.

At the centre of the label’s involvement in the campaign is the MMJ 261/s bio-based sunglasses, which are made using material from castor-oil seeds. The campaign surrounding the sunglasses points people towards the 'Plant a Seed - Grow Your Tree and Save The Forest' programme’s website. The Facebook page for the campaign will also let people spread the word by inviting their friends and providing more information about the campaign.

FRA pointed out that only 12 per cent of the original Atlantic Forest still stands and that only seven per cent is protected at the moment.

The 'Plant a Billion Trees' campaign highlights the fact that reforestation can help to revive Brazil’s struggling forests. Projects in which people can invest, and that focus on planting sustainable forests - which can keep the forestry community going without resorting to cutting down ancient native forests - must be a good thing. FRA supports Greenwood Management as a strong option for alternative investments from people who are environmentally conscious.

The Nature Conservancy launched the project to plant a billion trees around South America in 2008. It now has a million members and is focusing its efforts on Brazil, as so much of the native forest in the country has been cleared to make way for its rapid expansion.

About Forestry Research Associates

Forestry Research Associates is a research and advisory consultancy that focuses on forestry management, sustainability issues and forestry investment around the globe.

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