FAQs

What's the partnership all about?
What's an IKEA FAMILY card?
Who can get an IKEA FAMILY card?
What is the Woodland Trust?
Why do we need to create more woodland?
But why are trees and woods important?
Where is the Woodland Trust creating forests?
If the Woodland Trust saves trees, why is it working with IKEA who uses timber in its products?
How many 'feet of forest' create a wood?
What difference will my swipe make?
Why do we need to create more woodland?
How can I get more involved?

What's the partnership all about?

IKEA has teamed up with the Woodland Trust with the ultimate aim of creating 181 hectares of new woodland in the UK. 1 hectare is about the size of at least 2 football pitches.

What's an IKEA FAMILY card?

IKEA FAMILY is a reward and loyalty scheme that's completely free. As a member, you'll get exclusive offers, inspirational ideas and even a free cuppa. All you need to do is swipe your card in-store when you visit. And now, with every swipe, we'll donate to the Woodland Trust to create a foot of forest.

Who can get an IKEA FAMILY card?

Anyone over 18.

What is the Woodland Trust?

The Woodland Trust is a UK charity established in 1972 dedicated to the protection and creation of woodland. It owns more than 1,000 woods throughout the UK which are open to the public.

Why do we need to create more woodland?

Because the UK needs more trees – lots more! The UK is the least wooded country in Europe. Only 12% is covered by woodland, compared to a European average of 44%.

But why are trees and woods important?

Trees generate oxygen, store carbon, stabilise the soil, are home to wildlife and form a stunning part of our landscape. Woods, specifically our ancient woodland, are our richest wildlife habitat.

Since 1950, 98% of wildflower meadows and 190,000km of hedgerows have been destroyed. What's more, global deforestation accounts for 30% of total greenhouse gas emissions. It's a serious issue.

Where is the Woodland Trust creating forests?

Throughout the UK. To find their new and established woods, please visit http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/woods/index.htm

If the Woodland Trust saves trees, why is it working with IKEA who uses timber in its products?

Wood is a natural, renewable, long-lasting material. The Woodland Trust supports the use of wood sourced from sustainable forests. That means forests managed to benefit the local economy, community and wildlife, where at least one tree is replanted for every one that's extracted.

At IKEA, we don't accept timber from intact natural forests or forests with a high conservation value. Our aim is to source all our wood from well-managed forests verified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

How many 'feet of forest' create a wood?

Our woods range from just a few hectares to more than 4,000 hectares.

What difference will my swipe make?

A huge difference! The Trust now focuses its planting efforts around sites containing ancient woodland that is particularly species rich, so the species can extend their homes into new woodland. Many species need a wood of a certain size to survive. So every extra foot of forest is so important. They may be very small, but dormice need woods larger than 50 hectares. Most common woodland birds need homes of at least 10 hectares.

Why do we need to create more woodland?

More species have become nationally extinct in the last 100 years from broadleaved woodland (trees like oak and ash, not non-native conifers like spruce) than from any other habitat.

New woodland can help wildlife adapt to climate change. It can help in flood prevention, improving water quality, urban regeneration and enhancing landscapes.

How can I get more involved?

Join the Woodland Trust and become a member. Get your kids to join the Nature Detectives club. Find a wood near your store and visit it. Swipe your card! There are so many ways to get involved.