Energy-Saving Trees & Community Canopy Programs Celebrate More Than 450,000 Trees Being Distributed Since Inception in 2011
Programs from the Arbor Day Foundation help partners distribute free yard trees to residents
LINCOLN, Nebraska – The Arbor Day Foundation has helped to distribute almost half a million trees in the first 10 years of its Energy-Saving Trees and Community Canopy (EST and CC) programs.
The more than 450,000 trees distributed since the EST and CC program’s beginning have helped energy service providers, municipalities, and corporate partners throughout the United States and Canada provide trees to their homeowner audience to help lower their home energy bills while increasing tree canopy throughout the communities they serve.
The programs, started by the Arbor Day Foundation in 2011, uses a research-based, online mapping tool to help the user determine where to plant the best tree on their property to ensure the tree’s benefits are maximized on the property.
“The first 10 years of our Energy-Saving Trees and Community Canopy programs have been a resounding success and our partners are continuing to find the benefits of providing trees to their audiences while also helping their communities,” said Kristen Bousquet, program manager at the Arbor Day Foundation. “The trees distributed by partners to homeowners truly have incalculable benefits for all parties involved.”
The combined environmental benefits of the trees planted in the two programs’ first 10 years include 8.2 billion gallons of stormwater intercepted, 1.8 billion pounds of carbon sequestered, and 6.1 million pounds of air pollutants absorbed. Additionally, organizations that have partnered with the two programs have contributed a combined $242.7 million in community benefits. It is estimated that the trees will help save more than 751.3 million kilowatt-hours of energy use over the next 20 years.
Visit www.arborday.org to learn more about the Energy-Saving Trees and Community Canopy programs.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.
As one of the world’s largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org
