In 2007, Colorado native Amber Stevens discovered a passion for fostering wellness holistically through massage therapy. Her practice, Boundless Body & Wellness, continues this passion by supporting the greater Arvada community with preventative health services. In the spirit of interconnectivity, Boundless Body & Wellness branches out to care for the planet and communities abroad by partnering with ForestNation to plant trees in Tanzania.
ForestNation matched up perfectly with Boundless Body & Wellness’ values and mission. “It felt not only in alignment with my own love of nature, but also makes sense if we're focused on calming the nervous system connecting people to their breath and their bodies,” Amber says. “What better way to talk about breathing than trees that put oxygen into our air, right?”
ForestNation is a for-profit sustainable organization aiming to help humanity thrive through positive environmental, social, and commercial goals. Director of Operations Andrew Frankland says, “It’s about empowering communities." Eighteen million acres of forest land are lost every year impacting how communities are able to economically sustain themselves.
ForestNation started planting trees in Tanzania in 2015, and the fundraising efforts, such as the one done by Boundless Body & Wellness, allow the agency to continue the work. Tanzania is a fascinating country often referred to as “the cradle of civilization.” It’s the largest country in East Africa where the oldest human skull was found and is home home to giraffes, zebras, and crocodiles, as well as the largest remaining population of elephants.
ForestNation uses the fundraising efforts of places like Boundless Body & Wellness to grow the seedlings. The trees are planted, and then a local committee meets to develop long-term maintenance plans. For five years after planting, a team monitors the growth of the trees. Once they mature, the trees produce ongoing, income-generating harvests for the communities. Planting and harvesting also helps close an inequality gap by providing employment to hundreds of women in Tanzania.
There’s a positive impact on local schools, as well, Young people are encouraged to visit the nurseries to learn about botany and horticulture. The additional food helps feed nearby families. The harvest leads to fruit and food but also medicines and oil, timber for the wood industry, and enhanced tourism.
Andrew explains that deforestation has had a drastic effect on communities. “People move from the rural areas because they can feed themselves easier in the cities, but that doesn’t really work.” He says they’re often unable to find employment. “To alleviate this, we are bringing the forests back to the people. We are planting about 70% fruit trees and 30% hardwood. The impacts are social, of course, improving food security but also self esteem. And then there’s the longer-term impact in which the fruit can be harvested and sold each season.”
ForestNation has tree kits you can purchase online individually or on a larger scale for a company environmental campaign. For each tree kit purchased and shared with others, they plant trees overseas.
The best times to plant are between October and December or March to June. The teams and local community work diligently to protect the forest from fires and trim the trees after heavy rainfalls.
Through ForestNation, Boundless Body & Wellness has planted more than 1,000 trees in Tanzania. Their trees create approximately 100 tons of oxygen yearly. “I love feeling like our business is connected to the larger world as a whole, and that the little things that we do here to take care of ourselves make a huge impact in the world,” Amber says. For every treatment given, a tree is planted. The services at the Arvada business range from massage therapy and health coaching to acupuncture and energy therapy. Arvada voted Boundless Body & Wellness as Colorado Community Media’s Best of the Best for massage company and wellness center in 2022. Come in for an integrated massage, and enjoy both the soothing treatment and knowing that you are helping the planet.
If you do not have the time for a full treatment, consider stopping by for a community class. December offers both a meditation session led by Amber and a stress-free yoga class.
If you would like to forward the Boundless and ForestNation missions, come check out Boundless Body & Wellness in Arvada. Donation opportunities are announced on social media and through the Boundless newsletter, which you can sign up for at youareboundless.com.
You can also follow the practice at @AmberStevens.Boundless on Instagram and @Amber.Stevens.You.Are.Boundless on Facebook.
Photos from Tanzania provided by ForestNation.