HELP PROTECT SPECIES WITHIN THEIR NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS

VOSSO® upholds trust on a global scale, guided by a commitment to positively sustaining varied ecosystems. Providing support for environmental resources through funding and ecological restoration efforts. This includes tree planting, drop structures within rivers, mangrove restoration, and elder tree support. We assist local trusts in the Forest of Bowland AONB to the mangroves in Madagascar.

BRWA \ FOUNDER \ DIRECTOR

VOSSO® \ EXCA '92 \ EST '13

VOSSO® \ PROTECTING FUTURE FORESTS AND LIFE WITHIN

VOSSO® assists in initiatives with Forest Trusts, (BRWA \ Benjamin photographed \ Planting trees with the Wyre Rivers Trust) targeting the Forest of Bowland region to support arboreal ecosystems and their inhabitants. The expansive woodlands within our county present a unique opportunity for us to effect tangible improvements within the Forest of Bowland AONB. Our endeavours include pioneering techniques to foster and safeguard native British tree species and bolster other flora and fauna populations that depend on these trees.

The invasive Dutch Elm Disease poses a significant threat, devastating native elm trees. Additionally, invasive species like the grey squirrel outcompete native red squirrels for resources, severely impacting local wildlife. Alarmingly, recent reports show invasive species now dominate 80 percent of forests in England and Wales, wreaking havoc on woodland areas in the North West. With awareness, we can prevent future harm to our ecosystems by selectively planting the correct trees where Red Squirrels will flourish, and continue to promote further safeguards to protect forests and their inhabitants.

Our mission is to champion native species and enrich the ecosystems of our national forests. Trees serve as vital habitats for a diverse array of wildlife, including birds, insects, mammals, fungi, and invertebrates. They also facilitate critical ecological connectivity, linking habitats and extending their ecological value beyond their immediate areas. This connectivity bridges various parts of the forest and connects different ecological niches. Achieving effective forest management necessitates a holistic approach, considering the entire forest ecosystem rather than concentrating solely on individual trees.

VOSSO® \ PROTECTING FUTURE RIVERS AND LIFE WITHIN

VOSSO® assists in initiatives with River Trusts, targeting the Forest of Bowland region to support riverine ecosystems and their inhabitants. The Wyre River, flowing exclusively through our county, presents a unique opportunity for us to effect tangible improvements within the Forest of Bowland AONB. Our endeavours include pioneering techniques to foster and safeguard the British native white-clawed crayfish and bolster other amphibians, fish populations and found sources for their predators.

The invasive Signal Crayfish poses a significant threat, carrying a lethal crayfish plague that devastates native white-clawed crayfish. Additionally, these invasive crayfish outcompete natives for resources, severely impacting local fish stocks. Alarmingly, recent reports show non-native species now dominate 80 percent of rivers in England and Wales, wreaking havoc on waterways in the North West. With awareness, we can prevent future harm to our eco-systems and continue to promote safe-guards to protect rivers and their inhabitants.

Our mission is to champion native species and enrich the ecosystems of our national rivers. Rivers serve as vital habitats for a diverse array of wildlife, including fish, amphibians, birds, insects, invertebrates, and reptiles. They also facilitate critical ecological connectivity, linking habitats and extending their ecological value beyond their immediate banks. This connectivity bridges upstream and downstream areas and connects both sides of riverbanks. Achieving effective river management necessitates a holistic approach, considering the entire river basin rather than concentrating solely on the river itself.

MICROSCOPIC WEB OF FUNGI

Stand still in any forest, close your eyes, and listen. Life begins with the sun; feel its gentle warmth on your skin as the breeze rustles the leaves overhead. Squirrels leap from branch to branch, and birds serenade the surroundings - a mere fraction of the above-ground environment. Now, consider what lies below. The soil, leaves, and moss form a rich carpet on the forest floor. Beneath this surface, an intricate network of tree roots and a microscopic web of fungi create a hidden, magical ecosystem.

TREE COMMUNICATION

Root networks allow trees to communicate and assist one another. Mushrooms sprouting from the ground are merely the fruits of fungi; the majority of the fungal organism resides within the soil, interwoven with tree roots as a vast network of mycelium. These micro-threads form a greater fungal organism that wraps around and penetrates tree roots. Collectively, mycelium composes a 'mycorrhizal network' connecting individual plants and enabling the transfer of water, nitrogen, carbon, and other essential minerals. This network, facilitated by mycelium, allows trees to communicate.

RECOGNISING ROOT TIPS OF RELATIVES

Elder woodland trees share nutrients with smaller, shaded trees. In healthy woodlands, each tree is interconnected through this network, allowing them to share water and nutrients. Saplings growing in shaded areas often lack sufficient sunlight for adequate photosynthesis. For survival, these saplings rely on nutrients from the elder, taller trees, sent through the mycorrhizal network. A study on Douglas-fir trees at England’s University of Reading indicates that trees recognise the root tips of their relatives and favour them when sending carbon and nutrients through the fungal network.

A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN TREES AND FUNGI

It is hypothesised that the fungi linking trees are motivated by their need to secure a consistent source of carbon. The mycorrhizal network plays a crucial role in distributing resources to keep mycelium-connected trees alive and healthy, ensuring the fungi’s carbon supply remains steady. As compensation, the mycorrhizal network retains nearly 30% of the nutrients produced by the connected trees through photosynthesis, which fuels the fungi. In return, the fungi collect phosphorus and other essential minerals into the mycelium, which are then transferred to and utilised by the trees.

Hub trees, or mother trees, are the older, more established trees in a forest with extensive fungal connections. Their roots reach deeper into the soil, accessing water sources that are then shared with younger saplings. Through the mycorrhizal network, these hub trees can detect distress signals from neighbouring trees and send necessary nutrients to support them.

DEVELOPED FOR SURVIVAL \ MORE TREES ≈ HEALTHIER FOREST

These findings suggest that trees have developed complex symbiotic relationships to ensure species survival. The mycorrhizal network is an integral part of this connectivity, and while the fungi often act in their own best interests, they facilitate the health and survival of even the largest trees. Next time you wander through a forest, take a moment to consider the intricate exchange happening beneath your feet. The mycorrhizal network is crucial for supplying life-giving nutrients that maintain forest health - the more trees, the healthier the forest.

STATS >

10 REASONS WHY TREES AND CLEAN RIVERS POSITIVELY IMPACT THE ENVIRONMENT

1. Habitat Creation: In a hypothetical scenario where dromaeosaurs exist, planting trees would create forested areas that could serve as rich hunting grounds and provide shelter.
2. Biodiversity Support: Trees support a variety of prey species, including small mammals, birds, and reptiles, which would be essential for the diet of dromaeosaurs.
3. Water Quality Improvement: Clean rivers ensure a healthy aquatic ecosystem, supporting amphibians and fish that could also be part of dromaeosaur diets.
4. Shade and Temperature Regulation: Trees help regulate temperatures, creating a suitable climate for dromaeosaurs to thrive.
5. Cover and Concealment: Dense vegetation provides cover for dromaeosaurs, aiding in their ambush hunting strategies.
6. Flood Control: Healthy river systems with ample vegetation help manage floodwaters, protecting habitats from destructive flooding that could disrupt dromaeosaur territories.
7. Erosion Control: Trees stabilise soil and prevent erosion, maintaining the integrity of dromaeosaur habitats and ensuring stable ground for hunting and nesting.
8. Nesting Sites: Forested areas offer secure nesting sites for dromaeosaurs, providing places to lay eggs and raise their young.
9. Pollution Reduction: Vegetation helps filter pollutants from the environment, maintaining a cleaner habitat for all species, including dromaeosaurs and their prey.
10. Ecosystem Balance: A healthy, diverse ecosystem supported by trees and clean rivers ensures a balanced food web, promoting the overall health and sustainability of dromaeosaur populations. Thanks to the surrounding habitats, the raptors reigned for around 56 million years based on today's understanding.

66 - 122 MYA \ Habitat and Nesting \ Dromaeosaur raptors, such as Velociraptor and Deinonychus, inhabited a variety of environments during the Late Cretaceous. They typically constructed ground nests lined with vegetation from the tropical jungles and woodlands where they lived. These dinosaurs likely chose concealed nesting sites to protect their eggs from predators. The behaviour of brooding and guarding their nests, possibly involving shared parental care, contributed to the reproductive success of dromaeosaurs, highlighting their adaptability to diverse habitats.

It is important to recognise that forests are being destroyed faster than they can regenerate. If environments like these had been scarce 56 million years ago, our existence would have a different path today. Supporting these habitats today will ensure the survival and future of our modern raptors, such as birds and reptiles within our local forests.

For every product sold, VOSSO® plants one tree ≈

To date, BRWA has successfully planted over 2,800 trees in partnership with ECOLOGI. With each product sold, VOSSO® funds the planting of a tree and provides additional financial support to ECOLOGI behind the scenes. Raising awareness about environmental sustainability is paramount to us. Our ethos goes beyond merely offsetting our own carbon footprint; we strive to compensate for more than double our impact, a goal we have achieved. We are committed to sharing this awareness with you, whether through our physical stores or our online presence.

We recognise the value of our planet's treasures, both above ground and below. This understanding drives our commitment to recovering more than our own carbon footprint. Our efforts include using sustainable, eco-friendly packaging such as biodegradable gift boxes and working with natural products. We ensure that our transportation methods, from import to export, including VOSSO® commutes, are environmentally conscious. By adopting these practices, we exceed the carbon footprint generated by our resources, positively impacting both VOSSO® and the environment. Our partnership with Ecologi perfectly aligns with our ethos, and we take immense pride in being part of this movement.

ASSIST WITH A DONATION TO VOSSO® TODAY ≈

For more information on our current contributions, you can click on the ECOLOGI links below. The first ECOLOGI badge represents VOSSO® ≈, and the second badge represents THE FOSSIL STORE™ ≈