Over a month ago, we featured the story of the etnies Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree program, and earlier this month,  the etnies Team Riders, the Maleku tribe and La Reserva Forest Foundation planted the very first 150 trees of the etnies Rainforest in northern Costa Rica.

With shovels in hand, Pierre-André Senizergues (CEO and owner of etnies), Alfredo Acosta Blanco of the Maleku, Roberta Ward Smiley (co-founder of La Reserva) and etnies' pro riders Ryan Sheckler, Kyle Leeper, Chris Del Moro, CJ Kanuha and Benji Weatherly, planted these first trees in what will become the etnies Rainforest on the Maleku reserve.

"The name “etnies” comes from the word tribe. For etnies to have the opportunity to unite with the passionate people of the Maleku tribe and La Reserva on this very important reforestation project is one of my proudest moments in etnies' 25 year history," said Pierre-AndréSenizergues.

With all the ongoing support behind the Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree Project, etnies is on track to planting over 35,000 trees beyond this first tree-planting ceremony. You can still do your part by purchasing a pair (or a few!) of the eco-friendly etnies Jameson 2 sneakers. Remember, for every pair sold, etnies will plant one tree, that’s one more tree to help towards rebuilding the ravaged rainforest community of the Maleku tribe of Costa Rica. Now, that’s what we call a win-win situation!

When pro-skater Brandon Biebel isn’t tearing it up in some of the skateboarding world’s best films (see Yeah Right!), he’s designing and testing his signature shoes from Lakai. Ride with the fresh swagger of Lakai in the fresh-to-death Biebel 2 LK that features Lakaitning construction for the feel and flexibility of a vulcanized sole with the support and durability of a cup sole, minus the excess weight of both. Maximize board feel with the form-fitting upper and stay dry with the incredibly ventilated design. These kicks are repping the signature “Diamond” logo on the tongue and a sweet matching trim on the gum rubber outsole. Step up your game in a pair of Biebel 2 LK shoes from Lakai at the Rideshop.

Emerica is always taking their game to the next level and they’ve done it again with the Westgate. Your current bag of tricks will become bottomless with the ready-to-rip Westgate from Emerica that boasts suede, leather and canvas uppers, thinly padded tongue and collar, and a breathable fabric lining made for all-day rides. Designed by pro-skater Brandon Westgate, these kicks are born to go big. Check out the video below of Westgate tearing it up in his namesake shoes, then head over to the Rideshop for a pair of your own:

Crooks and Castles is making a name for themselves quickly in the streetwear industry by delivering products that are tailored to the fashion-minded male. Teaming up with Vado (of The U.N. with Cam'Ron), Crooks and Castles aim to make this spring their best season to date. Their new approach to classic pieces like the cardigan are setting them apart from the competition. The Crooks and Castles Castle Rook Cardigan is constructed of soft cotton railroad stripe fabric that puts a spin on your average dress shirt/cardigan. Rule the roost as the rook rules the castle with this killer cardigan. Take a look at the Crooks and Castles collection at Zappos Street.

As you wave to winter in the rearview, think about what you’ll need to do your favorite things this spring. It’s sandal season and the masters of the beach at Quiksilver have your feet covered. Whether you’re walking on sandy beaches or cruising around town, the quality and comfort of Quiksilver sandals will fit all your spring/summer sandal needs. If you’re headed to the beach, step into the same sandals that surf legend's wear – the Quiksilver Kelly Slater sandal. You’ll love the cushy man-made footbed that will last many seasons. Soak up the rays in the sleek beachside-styled Quiksilver Carver Suede, a compression molden, non-slip, and textured EVA footbed. Jump into the surf in a new pair of Quiksilver Session 2 that are constructed with a water-friendly synthetic nubuck upper and super soft Quik-Dry lining for next-to-skin comfort. Saddle up for surf season at the Rideshop with Quiksilver sandals for men.

Von Zipper is in the business of promoting sunglasses, snowboard goggles and MX goggles that revolve around the surf, skate, music, snow, MX and wake lifestyles. When it came time to release their new impact-resistant Drydock shades, they needed a battle-tested vet to put it to the test - enter Weeman of Viva La Bam and Jackass fame. The Grilamid nylon frames are flexible in all temperatures, shatter resistant and possess a high memory to ensure the frame retains its shape and fit, regardless of how many times you’re launched from a shopping cart. The impact resistant polycarbonate lenses are distortion free, optically correct, and have maximum scratch resistance to make sure you come out looking fresh. Check out the video below of Weeman sporting his new Drydock shades from Von Zipper and make sure you head over to the Rideshop to pick up a pair for yourself:

Your swagger will be unstoppable with the block-stomping style of these AMP High kicks from Famous Stars and Straps. Available in four color options, the AMP High is for built for big air. The custom cupsole is constructed for supreme durability and the breathable lining offers moisture-wicking comfort. Famous Stars and Straps have acquired their success through their passion for keeping it real. FMS Shoes team rider Javier Nunez (yes, Wilfredo Gomez on HBO’s How To Make It In America) discusses the impact that skateboarding has had in his life in this Willy Toledo directed piece. The blending of art, passion and skating showcase Famous’ unrelenting force in the industry:

One may seem like a small lonely number, but when one brand (etnies), teams up with one tribe (the Maleku), and one foundation (La Reserva) in Costa Rica, a country committed to sustainability, the results can be incredible!  To celebrate etnies’ 25 year anniversary, etnies owner and CEO, Pierre-Andre Senizergues has decided to look toward the future.  There’s no better way to celebrate the future than by planting a rainforest in Costa Rica through etnies’ new Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree project.  For every pair of Jameson 2 Eco shoes sold, etnies will plant one tree in what will become the new rainforest.

etnies is on track to plant at least 35,000 trees on the Maleku reserve in northern Costa Rica this year.  The Maleku are an indigenous tribe with a way of life that revolves around the forest, and they are rightfully known as the guardians of the forest. For more than 150 years, the Maleku have had to fight for their trees that were depleted due to cattle farming and a horrible rubber-tree war, which led to a massacre, and nearly wiped out their tribe.  The United Nations has sanctioned their land as a biological corridor to be restored and the international organization has officially marked 2011 as the “Year of the Forest” globally.  The Maleku just need help obtaining the trees to reach their goal of reforesting the lands they live off of.  

That’s where your help comes in – anyone who buys a pair of etnies Jameson 2 Eco shoes will help reforest Costa Rica one tree at a time. Together with La Reserva Forest Foundation and etnies’ “Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree” program, the Maleku are helping to replenish the reserve with the trees that once maintained this community.  La Reserva Forest Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to the recovery and preservation of indigenous tropical rainforests in Costa Rica. This will also help Costa Rica in reaching its goal of becoming the first carbon neutral country by 2021, a pledge paralleled by Pierre-Andre Senizergues who set the goal several years ago for etnies to be carbon neutral by 2020.

Check out this video to learn more about the etnies Buy a Shoe, Plant a Tree project: