Detroit, MI (May 2, 2017) – The Arbor Day Foundation in partnership with General Motors, Procter & Gamble and Sustainable Brands are planting 40 trees at the Greening of Detroit Park in honor of Elizabeth Gordon Sachs at 1463 East Jefferson Street on May 22. The tree planting will be done by volunteers attending the 2017 Sustainable Brands Conference -- SB'17 Detroit -- which is being held in Downtown Detroit May 22-25, 2017. The new trees are part of the City of Detroit's efforts to reforest city parks and restore the tree canopy throughout Detroit.
“We are excited to partner with the attendees of Sustainable Brands 2017 to get these trees planted in Detroit,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “This planting project will be done completely by volunteers not from Detroit and illustrates the importance and value people place on trees and the benefits they bring to the area they are being planted.”
The Greening of Detroit Park in Honor of Elizabeth Gordon Sachs was developed by The Greening of Detroit and volunteers over the past 26 years. The redevelopment of the Detroit's riverfront and new housing development that is planned, puts the park directly in the center for gathering space for the surrounding community. It also serves as a gateway to the adjacent Lafayette Park.
“Our attendees have often told us that they wanted to be able to make a difference in the city that hosts our annual conference, and we listened,” said David Fiss, Executive Producer of Sustainable Brands. “In collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, we were able to offer this unique hands-on tree planting experience.”
The trees planted will not only beautify the area, but also extend the tree canopy of the park and will provide benefits such as cleaner air and water. The investment in the tree canopy will also tangentially help the park to add value to the surround real estate in the area. Over the years The Greening of Detroit Park has been home to The Greening's Green Corps summer youth employment program. Each summer 200 high school students gather at the park before heading out to maintain over 5,000 trees, providing the critical maintenance needed. Additionally, nearby residents utilize the park to gather and host events such as yoga, jazz concerts and art displays.
“Procter & Gamble is proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation to lead change in this community and to have a long-term impact on the environment,” said Tonia Elrod, Director, P&G Sustainability Communications. “We are pleased to help re-green the city of Detroit though this planting initiative.”
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About the Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a million-member nonprofit conservation and education organization with a mission to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at www.arborday.org.
About General Motors
General Motors is a global automobile manufacturer that produces vehicles in 30 countries. The company is committed to building stronger communities and a better world through improved mobility. From electrified and fuel-efficient vehicles to mobility services and autonomous cars, GM is on a mission to transform transportation. GM operates 152 landfill-free facilities, is striving to achieve wildlife habitat certification at each of its manufacturing sites by 2020, and has committed to power its worldwide facilities’ electricity with renewable energy by 2050.
About Procter & Gamble
P&G serves consumers around the world with one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Always®, Ambi Pur®, Ariel®, Bounty®, Charmin®, Crest®, Dawn®, Downy®, Fairy®, Febreze®, Gain®, Gillette®, Head & Shoulders®, Lenor®, Olay®, Oral-B®, Pampers®, Pantene®, SK-II®, Tide®, Vicks®, and Whisper®. The P&G community includes operations in approximately 70 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and information about P&G and its brands.
About Sustainable Brands
Sustainable Brands® is the premier global community of brand innovators who are shaping the future of commerce worldwide. Since 2006, our mission has been to inspire, engage and equip today’s business and brand leaders to prosper for the near and long term by leading the way to a better future. Digitally published news articles and issues-focused conversation topics, internationally known conferences and regional events, a robust e-learning library and peer-to-peer membership groups all facilitate community learning and engagement throughout the year. Sustainable Brands is a division of Sustainable Life Media headquartered in San Francisco, CA.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published May 2, 2017 11am EDT / 8am PDT / 4pm BST / 5pm CEST