And This Year’s Oscar Goes To…Koala Bears!
Everybody loves the Oscars and this year has a great variety of films, including many diverse voices and visions being heard and shared. Hard to believe but the Oscars are next weekend! And of course we’ve put last year’s slap behind us, and look toward the future. Besides the hosts and the inevitable debate about winners, some of us are interested in the ancillary fun, like the swag bags.
This year’ swag bag is called the “Everyone Wins” gift bag, and that means people like Austin Butler, Ana de Armas, Angela Bassett, Cate Blanchett, Colin Farrell and Steven Spielberg will receive one of these, even if they don’t end up with a golden statue at the end of the night.
Of course, this gift bag is big deal — it’s worth a whopping six figures. But amongst the fine skin care and vacation packages (to Italy, etc.), one gift stood out for us at CRT: Attendees will get a plot of land in Australia to contribute to conservation and reforestation efforts around the country via Pieces of Australia. In a recent article, we mentioned that Australia is leading the way in alternatives and solutions to climate change. This perfectly exemplifies the concept. Pieces of Australia buys up private land in Australia (to protect from human development, deforestation and to support Aboriginal tribes), then sells in small parcels to people around the world allowing them to interact, engage and learn about Australia through their gift packs.
By creating value through its packs, it builds revenue that Pieces can reallocate to organizations that contribute in line with a vision of creating a positive impact. This includes reforestation projects and working with indigenous organizations, a 100% Carbon Positive business model and contributing to eco-system regeneration.
Each pack contains:
A dedicated plot of land measuring 1 square meter or more (pending pack selection)
A welcome letter
A personalized Certificate of Land License
A unique plot number assigned to the holder
A digital handbook that includes information about:
Australia’s current environmental issues
The local wildlife and fauna specific to the area
Aboriginal traditional land management & care
2 trees per square meter purchased will be planted for every order through one of our partners
Funds donated to a koala fund foundation
Cynics might call this “PC,” but we have noticed increasingly that people are giving land and charitable donations as gifts for weddings, special events, and obviously top flight celebrations like the Oscars. This can only be a good thing. Some donations work to fund schools in Africa, others are available at such groups as WWF and its Adopt an Animal program, Heifer International and its efforts to end hunger and poverty worldwide (a noble goal!) and in this case, wildlife and native protection.
And you don’t have to be a movie star to give these gifts in the name of a loved one, or yourself. Pieces gifts start at the Aussie Mate Conservation Pack, which retails for $79.95 in Australian money. It has all the benefits listed above, and you can find it at https://www.piecesofaustralia.com. So good on ya mate, and here’s to conservancy that is fighting the good fight down under.
On a final note, this demonstrates how wildlife, forestry and climate protection are becoming a mainstream global issue – and while a Koala may never receive an Oscar, it nevertheless delivers hope and a loveable mascot.
Let’s hope it’s in time!