BREITLING AND SUGI

Breitling's involvement in the SUGi project complements its efforts to become CO2 neutral and to establish itself as a socially responsible brand with a minimal impact on the environment. Breitling has partnerships with Ocean Conservancy, Qhubeka and the Solar Impulse Foundation. In partnership with sustainable clothing manufacturer Outerknown, Breitling launched a collection of Nato watch straps made from infinitely recyclable ECONYL® yarn. Breitling's new eco-friendly, recycled and recyclable watch box was designed to minimize environmental impact. The partnership with SUGi is a logical extension of Breitling's commitment to sustainability.

Elise Van Middelem, founder of SUGi, is excited about the partnership with Breitling. She says: "With SUGi, there is a huge opportunity to transform abandoned sites, landfills, parking lots and waterways into ideal habitats for birds to nest, fruit to grow, fresh air and the magic of nature to flourish. We're on a mission to restore communities both ecologically and socially by bringing nature closer to everyone, everywhere. I'm thrilled to welcome Breitling to our circle.” Initially, Breitling will support four key SUGi projects.

San Miguel Tully in Australia is a creek ecosystem in need of restoration, along with the surrounding land. Purifying the water that flows out is critical to the quality of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Sites like this creek, with its exotic and rare flora, are sanctuaries for nature. They are a tiny but vital oasis in a vast sea of agricultural land. Forest Maker Brett Krause says: "With Breitling's support, SUGi's Miyawaki forest will restore the degraded ecosystem, revive the rainforest area and help pollinate fruit trees.”

Although the Buea region of southwest Cameroon is blessed with abundant water resources, the community has faced a severe water crisis for a generation due to poor water management. Population growth and rapid urbanization have put even more pressure on the community. Breitling is supporting this ambitious project to reforest five of Buea's main water catchments. SUGi Forester Limbi Blessing Tata emphasized the importance of the project: "By rewilding the city's five water catchments, we are solving a decades-long water crisis.”

Debra is a member of the Yakama Nation in central Washington State. Her Indian name is Tu'paxin. She was named after her great-grandmother, who was a strong and protective figure for the tribe. The forest takes its name from these two strong women. Tu'paxin will be an inspiring and educational forest in the shape of a medicine wheel. Debra grew up going to the mountains with her family every weekend to camp, hike, fish, gather and hunt. She says: "Tu'paxin is where we will teach our children about traditional foods and medicines and our connection to the natural world. Designed as a medicine wheel with the children at the center, it will be an ideal classroom for young minds. I dream of hosting a Master Gardener class here as well.”

The Healing Forest in Washington will cultivate a rich resource for the Yakama Nation by transforming a barren landscape into a thriving, lush forest at the Yakama Nation Corrections & Rehabilitation Facility. The goal is to nourish the land and restore the lives of the inmates. Although there is only ten inches (25 cm) of annual rainfall, there is the potential to create a native tree forest on this site. The Healing Forest will teach the wisdom of ancient ways in which individuals live in balance with themselves, their neighbors, and the natural world.  Chief Alvarez, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Washington and Chief of Corrections for the Yakama Nation, says, "The creation of our 'Healing Forest' is dedicated to the spiritual restoration and physical well-being of our residents...and their journey in life toward a more meaningful and self-healing existence."