To mark its 50th anniversary, Enterprise Rent-A-Car has pledged the unprecedented gift of 50 million trees to The National Arbor Day Foundation. Enterprise will underwrite the planting of 50 million trees over the next 50 years at a total cost of $50 million in today’s dollars. The pledge signifies a long-term commitment to help restore national forests that have been destroyed by fire, disease and to re-build natural habitats.
The first trees – several small White Pines – were planted in the Mark Twain National Forest in southern Missouri.
“This gift couldn’t come at time of greater need,” said John Rosenow, President of The National Arbor Day Foundation. “Last year was the worst forest fire season in history. And unfortunately, 2006 is on pace to be even worse. This gift from Enterprise – the largest gift we’ve ever received – gives us the flexibility to respond quickly to forests damaged not only by fire, but also by storms, disease, and other causes.”
Each year for the next 50 years, with funding provided by the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, The National Arbor Day Foundation will work with the U.S. Forest Service to plant 1 million trees in National Forests around the country. These trees will help forests affected by natural disasters and disease, as well as rebuild and preserve habitats for endangered species. The grant also will fund tree-planting initiatives in international locations where Enterprise does business, including Europe and Canada.
“To put this gift in perspective, 50 million trees is the equivalent of planting a new Central Park about every 10 days, all year, for the next 50 years,” said Taylor. “We know this commitment is not a total solution, but it’s a solid step in the right direction.”
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