Build a Forest as you Explore: Map Publisher Helps Reforest Areas Affected by Wildfires

Benchmark Maps partners with the Arbor Day Foundation by planting a tree for every website sale of an atlas.

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Santa Barbara, CA July 31, 2012

Benchmark Maps has partnered up with the Arbor Day Foundation in an effort to help the Foundation's reforestation programs in the thousands of acres devastated by the 2012 wildfires in the Western United States. For each atlas sale on their website, Benchmark Maps will donate one tree to the fire stricken areas. [See www.benchmarkmapsgivesback.com]

“We have seen first hand over the last five years the devastation caused by wild fires in Santa Barbara County and believe the Arbor Day Foundation's efforts best address the need to bring forests back,” says owner John Glanville. “Having traditionally produced paper products that depict the American West, we find it absolutely necessary to give back to the forests that have given us and our loyal customers years of adventure.”

Going Digital, Going Green

Alongside their reforestation efforts, Benchmark Maps is on track to develop digital versions of each of their existing atlases by the end of 2012. “Currently, you can download free versions of California and New Mexico. Oregon, Utah, and Nevada are just around the corner. We’re looking forward to embracing a sustainable, green culture,” says Digital Strategist, Lauren Perez, “the digital frontier is where things are headed, and we think it matches our sustainability efforts very well.” Benchmark Maps’ atlas apps are available for the iPhone and iPad. Android versions will be available in 2013.

Digital vs Analog: The Hybrid Future of Maps

There will always be a place for paper maps; heading into the wilderness without one could be dangerous. However, the information one can discover and remember with the aid of an app these days are tremendous. “We believe in leveraging both”, remarks Lauren. “The paper map is not on its way out, but rather is being used for more specific purposes. Our atlases and apps aren’t battling for the spotlight; they work together in creating a safer, more enriched experience for our customers. That is what we are working toward accomplishing, and maintaining a smaller footprint while doing it is number one on our list.”

For more information please contact:

Lauren Perez, Sr. Digital Strategist

(805) 565-8911, [email protected]

Core Facts

Benchmark Maps partners with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree for every website sale of an atlas. All proceeds with go toward regrowing wildfire stricken areas in the Western US. Benchmark is now developing digital apps for all atlases.

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Quotes

We have seen first hand over the last five years the devastation caused by wild fires in Santa Barbara County and believe the Arbor Day Foundation's efforts best address the need to bring forests back. Having traditionally produced paper products that depict the American West, we find it absolutely necessary to give back to the forests that have given us and our loyal customers years of adventure.

John Glanville - Owner

Currently, you can download free versions of California and New Mexico. Oregon, Utah, and Nevada are just around the corner. We’re looking forward to embracing a sustainable, green culture. The digital frontier is where things are headed, and we think it matches our sustainability efforts very well.

Lauren Perez - Digital Strategist

The paper map is not on its way out, but rather is being used for more specific purposes. Our atlases and apps aren’t battling for the spotlight; they work together in creating a safer, more enriched experience for our customers. That is what we are working toward accomplishing, and maintaining a smaller footprint while doing it is number one on our list.

Lauren Perez - Digital Strategist