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Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited (MQDC)– that invests in, develops, and manages high-quality residential and mixed-use property projects under the brands ‘THE FORESTIAS’–announced ‘Forest Rescue’, a campaign to save urban trees and highlight the importance of nature and healthy ecosystems. The THB70 million campaign aims to rescue trees in and around Bangkok and to spotlight nature’s true value through video content. Members of the public can take part by submitting information to www.facebook.com/theforestias or using #ForestRescue. A team of plant and tree experts will assess, relocate, and care for trees, incorporating them into a public space at THE FORESTIAS, where 3 rai or 4,800 sqm has been prepared for trees moved under the campaign.

Mrs. Sasinan Allmand, MQDC’s Executive Vice President, Corporate Marketing and Communications, said: “Transnational organizations across the globe are focusing on natural environments and the deterioration of ecosystems can have harmful consequences for people at large. The world has 3 trillion trees but a report on changes in forest areas according to satellite images from 1990 to 2015 by FAO [Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations] revealed that we have lost 1.3 million sqm of forest since 1990. The deforested area is larger than South Africa. Each hour, an area equivalent to 800 standard football fields [7,410 sqm] is deforested. Tropical forests, moreover, are at higher risk of deforestation than forests elsewhere. For Thailand, in particular, Seub Nakhasathien Foundation revealed a shocking fact that only 31.58% of land in Thailand is forest, 0.02 percentage points lower than in 2015, equivalent to 65,000 rai.”

Mrs. Sasinan continued: “Our ‘For All Well-Being’ philosophy is rooted in our intention to best enhance every living lifestyle and these benefits should be in sync with the world as we always care for nature and seek out trailblazing innovations to perfect our projects, which are centered on a well-balanced society, quality of life, and friendliness towards the environment as well as the earth we are living in. THE FORESTIAS is a first for Thailand that we proudly present as a model of an ideal lifestyle in tune with natural ecosystems for true sustainability under the concept ‘Imagine Happiness’. Extensive research into consumer needs and behaviors and the latest innovations and living technologies are being applied to provide a better and more sustainable quality of life. At THE FORESTIAS, we aim to create an environment suitable for four generations of people, combine a planted and original natural environment with consideration for sustainable energy, complete an extremely safe mixed-use project, meet consumer needs, and build a better living community to give Thailand a valuable example. On this occasion, THB70 million, for THE FORESTIAS, has now been allocated for a campaign entitled ‘FOREST RESCUE’, an operation to revive trees in and around Bangkok grounded in a mission for the future: saving trees by relocating them and managing space for them so our project can be their new home.”

Mr. Kittiphun Ouiyamaphun, MQDC’s Senior Vice President, said: “THE FORESTIAS originated from the question ‘What is true happiness in life?’ and we are therefore generating a form of sustainable happiness through the world’s first mixed-use project with four important living principles we call the ‘Eternal 4’: 1) 50 Shades of Nature: happiness amid a large, open, natural ecosystem; 2) Connecting 4 Generations: a delightful environment for families with up to four generations; 3) Community of Dreams: public space and facilities that promote interaction; and 4) Sustainnovation for Well-being: the use of innovation and new technologies for sustainable living amid perfect natural surroundings. The ‘FOREST RESCUE’ campaign, an operation to save trees in and around Bangkok, aims to preserve and protect large trees by adding green space as well as oxygen-producing zones in Thailand’s urban areas. We understand that large trees are often cut down as they are obstacles to large-scale development projects such as roads, buildings, or public infrastructure. This diminishes the urban ecosystem and reduces oxygen production. Many trees in the city area are not in good condition as they are not properly cared for. Many of them show signs like dead branches or large cavities and may fall, putting buildings and people at risk. Our campaign will provide appropriate and swift assistance for these trees through a squad of tree and plant experts known as the ‘Forest Rescue Team’. They will travel the city to plan and perform the relocation of trees to a new ecosystem. We also have an official page at www.facebook.com/theforestias and the #ForestRescue hashtag so the public can inform us about trees we can help transplant. This six-month campaign starts now and will run until the end of 2018. Trees we rescue will be a part of a 3 rai or 4,800 sqm public ecosystem at THE FORESTIAS. Each tree saved by the campaign will be labeled with its original location so previous owners and the public can explore the area and relax, learn, and reconnect with each tree’s past, without any entry fee.”

A video entitled ‘Forest Rescue’ is a main communication tool for the campaign. It is based on the true story of a large rain tree once at Soi Ladprao 110. The original owner wanted to build a house extension so the tree was carefully transplanted as a balled-and-burlapped plant to THE FORESTIAS. The story also illustrates the neglected bond between humans and trees. To convey the campaign’s details and highlight the importance of trees, the initiative will be shared through social media like Facebook and Instagram, online articles, television programs, and many other platforms. Trees can only be rescued by this campaign if they pass criteria set by the Forest Rescue Team. Their decisions are ultimately grounded on each tree’s chance of survival after relocation. Key criteria are 1) Types: the team reserves the right not to provide aid for invasive species such as auri, since these can dramatically reduce biodiversity and may worsen living conditions for other plants. They also cannot help trees that can naturally reproduce themselves rapidly, such as weeping figs, sacred figs, and coralwood trees; 2) Transportation: the climates of the original location and the new space are decisive to the risks of relocation; 3) Ownership and Care after Relocation: trees moved by the campaign must be legally under the care of THE FORESTIAS. Original owners are welcome to visit THE FORESTIAS to see the trees once the project is completed; and 4) Other Key Criteria: trees cannot be assisted by the campaign unless they have a private owner. They cannot be government property or planted for public benefit. Requests must be submitted by the trees’ owners or accompanied by authorization letters they have signed. Relocation methods may vary with each tree as the team must take into consideration transplant limitations, the tree’s type, and other crucial factors. An approved approach for each tree must be finalized based solely on the team’s judgment.

The campaign is founded on the value of trees, especially their capabilities to preserve, create, and restore the environment. Large trees’ amazing qualities have been demonstrated by countless international research findings. The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, for instance, has stated, “A large tree is able to cool the air down to the same capacity as a 12,000 BTU air conditioner. Its shade can prevent sunlight from directly reaching a house and this means demand for air conditioner use is reduced significantly. This is shown in a 20% reduction in electricity bills annually. A large tree planted to the east of a house can reduce heat and increase energy efficiency by 10%.” The city of Barcelona in Spain found that, “200,000 large trees can consume 5,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually and absorb 305 tons of toxic substances.” Trees familiar to Thais like the Australian pine, Norfolk Island pine, Sumatran pine, and Khasi pine are outstanding in absorbing polluting gases. Milkwood pine, ylang-ylang, camel’s foot, or pisonia can effectively absorb oxides from nitrogen and produce ozone.

MQDC seeks significant results from this campaign, informing the public about the importance of trees and ecosystems and encouraging Thais to appreciate green spaces and to preserve them for coming generations.

The Forest Rescue video content can be accessed at https://youtu.be/2GuChdxK06s