Purpose Before Profit: Michael Cunningham of 9trees.org On The Benefits Of Running A Purpose-Driven Business
An Interview With Chad Silverstein
We really want to help landowners transition to regenerative farming, more Agroforestry and CSAs* and we have launched ‘Branching Out’ which is our New way of working with landowners. We also want to foster a joined up thinking approach with all other tree charities and Nonprofits.
In today’s competitive business landscape, the race for profits often takes center stage. However, there are some leaders who also prioritize a mission-driven purpose. They use their business to make a positive social impact and recognize that success isn’t only about making money. In this interview series, we are talking with some of these distinct leaders and I had the pleasure of interviewing Michael Cunningham.
Drawing on a decade of experience in environmental conservation, Michael Cunningham brings invaluable insights into wildlife preservation, habitat management, and the development of sustainable livelihoods for local communities.
The collective impact of his work at 9trees.org, including the creation of woodland areas & nature reserves, is a testament to the transformative power of purpose-driven businesses.
Thank you so much for doing this with us! Our readers would love to get to know you a bit better. Can you tell us your “Origin Story”? Can you tell us the story of how you grew up?
Michael Cunningham grew up on the banks of the river why SSSI in Mid Wales. His mother was a Teacher and outgoing actress and later Olympic Torchbearer, his father was a Teacher turned Woodturner and Mike would play in the wood shavings as a toddler. As he grew he played in the woods and on the riverside making dens, building dams, and climbing trees.
As he grew he would help his father collect the trees and help in all aspects of tree work.
At University he studied ‘Wildlife and Countryside Conservation’ and his passion was enlightened by habitat management and ecological surveying. Later concerned about the environmental impact of his travelling for conservation and humanitarian efforts, and the usual conservation method of maintaining habitats (keeping things as they were), Mike decided he wanted to create and ‘Give Nature A Home’ since the Industrial Revolution and expansion of cities and the ripping out of hedgerows, incurring the 90% loss of biodiversity in the UK, the ‘Eco anxiety’ proved to be too much… removing himself from Society the problems turned into calculations, scientific evidence and tangibility of the forming ideas balancing an individual’s footprint through crowdsourcing funding inextricably linked to each tree! This would need all stratas of society to put past issues aside and come together to create the vision conceived, a Vibrant world of biodiversity, a Woodland for Everyone!