Washington, D.C. (April 28, 2016) — On this year’s National Arbor Day, Alcoa Foundation and American Forests announced their plans to plant more than 465,000 trees across 29 global project sites in 2016.
The trees will be planted as part of Alcoa Foundation’s Partnership for Trees Program, a commitment to plant 10 million trees by 2020, with more than nine million trees planted so far. It is estimated that these trees will absorb more than 432 million metric tons of carbon dioxide annually on average across their lifetime.
“Alcoa Foundation is pleased to enter into its sixth year of partnership with American Forests, and to be nearing our global goal of planting ten million trees,” said Esra Ozer, president, Alcoa Foundation. “This partnership is a reflection of our employees’ commitment to communities around the world, and the value we place on enhancing our shared natural environment.”
Over the past five years, Alcoa Foundation and American Forests have worked together to enhance and protect forests in 13 countries and 13 U.S. states, restoring wildlife habitat and combating climate change by utilizing forests to augment carbon storage and purify water and air. Through the dedication of Alcoa employees, local communities and partners, more than 1.12 million trees have already been planted in partnership with American Forests since 2011.
From Mexico to Russia and China to the U.S., the Partnership for Trees Program is helping improve the local environment of a variety of diverse ecosystems by focusing on specific projects, which include restoring the orchards of Langenhagen, Germany, once famous for its fruit trees; planting outside of hospitals in Shropshire, England, as trees are proven to speed patient recovery times; and restoring land in Bastrop County — an area burned by the most destructive wildfire in Texas history — providing crucial habitat to the endangered Houston toad and other wildlife.
“Alcoa views with great importance its responsibility as a corporate citizen. We are delighted to be working with the company’s Foundation and its employees again to plant hundreds of thousands of trees in projects around the world,” said Scott Steen, CEO, American Forests. “Healthy forests are critical for a healthy planet, but they also increase quality of life for the people living in these communities. We at American Forests deeply appreciate Alcoa Foundation’s ongoing partnership to help us plant millions of trees and restore forest ecosystems.”
Visit American Forests online for a comprehensive look at the 2016 Partnership for Trees Program projects.
ABOUT AMERICAN FORESTS
American Forests restores and protects urban and rural forests. Founded in 1875, the first national nonprofit conservation organization in the country has served as a catalyst for many key milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest and national park systems as well as leading literally thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts. Working in forests in all 50 states and in 45 countries, American Forests planted its 50 millionth tree last year. The impact has resulted in cleaner air and drinking water, restored habitat for wildlife and fish, and the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Learn more at americanforests.org.
ABOUT ALCOA FOUNDATION
Alcoa Foundation is one of the largest corporate foundations in the U.S., with assets of approximately $480 million. Founded 64 years ago, Alcoa Foundation has invested more than $635 million in communities worldwide. In 2015, Alcoa Foundation contributed more than $22 million to nonprofit organizations throughout the world, building innovative partnerships to improve the environment and educate tomorrow’s leaders for careers in manufacturing and engineering. The work of Alcoa Foundation is further enhanced by Alcoa’s thousands of employee volunteers who share their talents and time to make a difference in the communities where Alcoa operates. Through the Company’s signature Month of Service program, in 2015, 47 percent of Alcoa employees took part in 1,000 events across 24 countries, benefiting more than 300,000 people and 400 nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit alcoafoundation.com and follow @AlcoaFoundation on Twitter.
MEDIA CONTACT
Christopher Horn | Director of Communications | 202.370.4517 (direct) | 913.549.0769 (cell) | chorn@americanforests.org