Will & BEAR x odonata
Saving Bandicoots One Hat at a Time
Will & Bear have partnered with Odonata Foundation to bring you this latest style the Percy Eucalyptus. As well as planting a tree for every hat sold, this collaboration is working to increase the population of the almost extinct Eastern Barred Bandicoot from endangered to threatened.
October 2022 - Will & Bear and Odonata's partnership begins.
December 2023 - From a modest starting group of 34 bandicoots, the Odonata Foundation’s breeding program at Tiverton sanctuary has witnessed a population explosion to approximately 3,000 bandicoots in 2023.
May 2024 - Odonata have been busy, as have the bandicoots. Odanata Foundation’s breeding program at Tiverton sanctuary has witnessed a population explosion to approximately 4,700 bandicoots. This is the highest number since the program's inception, a clear indication of the positive impact of sustained conservation efforts.
“Together, you can actively consume and do good by nature.”
Sam Marwood |Odonata Foundation CEO
Committed to the bandicoot and you.
Regenerative farming is intended to make farms more resilient with the intention to improve the health of crops and animals, to produce better quality materials and leave a lighter footprint.
The Eastern Barred Bandicoot is a soil engineer that burrows itself which contributes to the turning of soil, seeds and the land on which sheep live and graze. The regeneration of soil means the growth of quality crops providing better health to our sheep. Odonata’s breeding program is set up upon the predator proof, Tiverton Sanctuary where the bandicoots will live alongside sheep, which is where Will & Bear will eventually source the premium wool used to make their wool hats.
We seek to inspire other businesses to think about regenerative agriculture and start making changes that integrate a more circular supply chain. We also hope to inspire our customers to consider their purchasing habits and ensure our community that we are in the business of doing good business.
On top of donating a portion of profits to Odonata’s bandicoot breeding program, we are still committed to planting 1 tree for every hat we sell.