On Saturday, November 6, 2021, Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation will partner with International Paper and the Arbor Day Foundation to distribute 175 free trees at Gilbreath Recreation Center & Wolfe Park located at 110 Garden Avenue in Lindale, Georgia. The event begins at 11:00 a.m. and ends at 2:00 p.m. Species include Red Maple, Service Berry, American Hornbeam, Flowering Dogwood, Magnolia, White Oak, Pin Oak and Willow Oak and residents are limited to one tree per household.
“Urban parks and private green spaces protect our health by providing opportunities for time in nature, for physical activities and to make social connections. The trees we plant today will help restore tree canopy in Rome and Floyd County, help filter air and stormwater, buffer wind and noise, provide homes for birds and other wildlife, and provide shade in summer months” said Mary Hardin Thornton, Special Services Manager for Rome-Floyd Parks & Recreation.
“At International Paper, our entire business depends on the sustainability of forests, and sustainable forestry doesn’t just happen in working forests. We will continue to lead the world in responsible forest stewardship to ensure healthy and productive ecosystems for generations to come,” said Kevin Walls, Mill Manager at the International Paper Rome Containerboard Mill. “Community forestry helps us all be part of environmental sustainability, and the Rome Mill is proud to help give back through tree plantings and tree giveaways.”
“We are proud to encourage and support local efforts to plant trees. Cities and towns around the globe that line their streets and fill their parks with trees are building healthier, happier communities” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation.
Trees offer vast benefits for the community at large. Thriving urban forests bolster human health, from encouraging physical activity to reducing respiratory illnesses stemming from air pollution. In the United States, park trees alone remove about 75,000 tons ($500 million) of air pollution each year. And urban trees reduce runoff of sediment, pollutants, and organic matter into streams, improving our water quality. Trees have also been shown to reduce crime, lower stress levels, and develop community pride.
To learn more about this event, contact Mary Hardin Thornton by calling 762-235-4071, or emailing thorntonm@floydcountyga.org.
***************
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. During the last 45 years, more than 350 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger.
As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation 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
About International Paper: International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable world-wide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ approximately 48,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2020 were $21 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com.