March of the Penguins: 2009 Penguin Global Walk Raises Green Awareness Around the World and Raises Funds for "Plant a Billion Trees" Campaign
A global team of Penguin employees from its offices around the world participated in the Penguin Global Walk on Friday, June 5th, World Environment Day, to raise funds for the Nature Conservancy's and United Nations Environmental Programme's "Plant a Billion Trees" initiative and demonstrate their commitment to making Penguin a greener company. We had a global total of just short of 1,000 walkers, tackling routes that varied from a half marathon route through London's Royal parks to a route that encompassed part of the Great Wall of China.
The final total raised globally by Penguin reached an impressive £56,105, doubling the amount raised in last year's UK effort. This money will enable just over 55,000 trees to be planted across the world, so a big well done to everyone who took part! Individual charities that will benefit from these funds include the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Food and Trees for Africa, Conservation Volunteers Australia and New Zealand and the UK's Woodland Trust.
Sue Holden, Chief Executive of the Woodland Trust, said, "I would like to thank all of you for taking part in this year's Penguin Global Walk. In 2006 you helped us create Penguin Wood. In 2008 you helped provide school tree packs for 18,000 children. This year you have helped us plant 3,000 trees, towards the UN's Billion Trees Campaign."
Building on last year's Penguin UK effort, the London employees were joined by Penguins from across the globe spanning from Canada and the US all the way to New Zealand. John Makinson said before the event, "More important than our entry into the publishing hall of fame would be the environmental impact we could have. Imagine how many trees we could plant if we're walking to raise money in every Penguin city from Auckland to Toronto."
In 2008, Penguin UK's 400 walkers raised £25,000 and were able to plant 18,000 trees. Aiming to improve on both totals this year with international support, the event saw all of the different time zones getting involved with Auckland and Melbourne setting off first, closely followed by New Delhi, Beijing, Johannesburg, the UK and Ireland and finally New York and Toronto.
Here are some walk highlights from a selection of Penguin locations:
Australia
A bright sunny day greeted more than 150 Penguin Australia staff as they embarked on the Australian leg of the Penguin Global Walk. The walking track started outside the Penguin offices in Camberwell near the iconic Camberwell Junction and weaved around an 8km track through some of Melbourne's glorious parks and gardens. A representative from Conservation Volunteers Australia spoke to the teams at the conclusion of the event, to thank everyone for their efforts. $10,249 was raised as part of this initiative, which means more than 1,600 tree violets (small trees for small bird habitat) will be planted. You can see the photos at Penguin Australia's flickr account.
DK (UK)
DK, team name Divide and Konifer, was well represented in the Penguin Global walk with every department taking part. The walk inspired seven DK employees to continue fundraising and participate in The Nation Triathlon, an Olympic distance triathlon.
India
Outside the Penguin office in Panchsheel Park, enthusiastic staff assembled for the Penguin Walk in the 40-degree heat. Penguin India author Sam Miller had kindly agreed to map the route and lead the walk. Like the Pied Piper of Hamlin, Sam led the pack of Penguins (including CEO Mike Bryan), DKs and PEDs in a 5km long walk that would stretch from the office to a nearby park and a circumnavigation of the park and back to the office. Plied with refreshing water in the searing sunshine, the environmentally conscious group walked the route enthusiastically. We survived! There was a breakfast party after the walk in the office. Penguin India had also organised a book sale at Midlands Book Store, in conjunction with Kalpavriksh, an NGO associated with the environment that will plant trees with the proceeds from the book sale that took place from 5th - 7th June.
New Zealand
We had a stunning day in Auckland, with 20 walkers doing 8km round the local streets, through a lovely park. We had stunning blue skies (great for a winter day) and everyone was very buoyant.
South Africa
Penguin South Africa hosted its Penguin Walk at the Johannesburg Zoo. All staff members participated in a 5km walk that was mapped out around the animals.
The scenic route, which featured popular wildlife such as baboons, hippos, lions and crocodiles, produced lots of smiles and ensured that a fun time was had by all!
Penguin Group (USA)
In the US, employees raised over $31,000. Led by Penguin Group (USA) CEO David Shanks, more than 200 Penguin Group (USA) employees braved heavy rain and wind on to complete the 4k New York City leg, and throughout that week employees in Penguin's Kirkwood, East Rutherford and Pittston locations walked each day to log their mileage. Many Penguin employees who weren't able to take part in the Walk still helped raise funds for the cause.