Global Releaf 2000: corporate partnership update

American Forests, Autumn, 1996

Global ReLeaf 2000, AMERICAN FORESTS' plan to plant 20 million trees for the new century, involves businesses as well as individuals, agencies and organizations of all kinds. Help the campaign by supporting the following efforts on behalf of Global ReLeaf 2000.

Several companies are involving customers in efforts to improve the environment:

* Coldwater Creek, an Idaho-based cataloger of clothing and accessories, sponsors the planting of one tree for each order placed by a preferred customer. Founded in 1984, Coldwater Creek has always placed a high value on conservation by donating 1 percent of all charges made on its credit card to environmental organizations. "Planting trees through AMERICAN FORESTS is another way for Coldwater Creek to express our strong conservation ethic," says spokesperson Karen Reed.

* Starting in October, Butterworth-Heinemann, which punishes professional resources, including books, videos, and journals, makes a contribution to the Global ReLeaf 2000 campaign for every book it publishes.

* Lindal Cedar Homes has renewed its sponsorship to support Global ReLeaf 2000 by making a contribution for every home sold.

Sierra Suites Hotel, a division of Summerfield Hotels Corp., is a recent Global ReLeaf 2000 partner. Under its "A Tree for Your Thoughts" program, Sierra Suites will plant a tree in a Global ReLeaf Forest on behalf of every guest who completes a survey card. "Global ReLeaf 2000 fits well with the environmental ideals of Sierra Suites Hotels. It demonstrates to our guests that their suggestions are of utmost importance to us, and shows that we are committed to making our planet a better place to live," says Robert Mossburg, executive vice president.

Chevrolet/Geo Environmental, a major parmer of AMERICAN FORESTS' Global ReLeaf campaign for the past seven years. will celebrate the planting of its 1 millionth tree in October. Each year, with the help of hundreds of thousands of volunteers, 75 nonprofit and civic organizations, and more than 1,500 local dealers, Chevrolet/Geo Environmental has committed money and manpower to improve local ecosystems nationwide. AMERICAN FORESTS is proud to be its national nonprofit tree-planting partner, helping to plant those trees in Global ReLeaf forests and urban projects nationwide. In its role as presenting sponsor of AMERICAN FORESTS' National Urban Forest Conference, the company has helped bring new prominence to the biennial event, the largest such gathering of urban forestry professionals and enthusiasts. Also, Chevrolet/Geo Environmental, AMERICAN FORESTS, and the U.S. Forest Service each year present the Geo Awards for Environmental Excellence to nonprofit tree groups and Chevrolet/Geo dealers.

The Texaco/Global ReLeaf Urban Tree Initiative began 1990. Since then more than 6,000 Texaco volunteers have planted more than 18,000 large trees in cooperation with local tree groups, and more than $2.5 million has been invested in projects in 10 cities through the Global ReLeaf Fund. The Texaco Foundation has also supported our work in developing the latest urban forest science and technology on which Global ReLeaf 2000 is based.

Dayton Hudson Corporation began working with the Global ReLeaf program in 1990 for the 20th anniversary of Earth Day. The company's commitment has included the creation and marketing of special-edition plush animals. Twigs the Tree Bear teaches kids the importance of trees, and the 1994 edition of Dayton Hudson's famous Santa Bear carried an important educational message about Global ReLeaf. For each bear purchased, Dayton Hudson planted a tree in a Global ReLeaf Forest in the name of the child.

Sponsorship opportunities abound for the Global ReLeaf 2000 campaign. Your business can get involved by:

* Planting trees in a Global ReLeaf Forest site Forest site (see page 14).

* Supporting the Global ReLeaf Fund for urban trees or an outdoor education Living Classroom of historic trees.

* Sponsoring urban ecosystem analysis in your city (see page 26).

For more information, contact AMERICAN FORESTS' development department at 202/667-3300 ext. 212.