LINCOLN, Nebraska (November 18, 2020) – The Arbor Day Foundation today announced it will partner with Williams, a leading natural gas infrastructure company, to plant more than 35,000 trees in New Jersey and Virginia. The reforestation efforts will help to reestablish natural habitats and waterways, while contributing to the restoration of endangered wildlife.
"We applaud Williams for their commitment to restoring and protecting critical forest ecosystems,” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation. “Forests in New Jersey and Virginia provide habitats for endangered wildlife and offer countless benefits to communities in those states, from offering green space for recreation to cleaning our air and water."
“Williams is proud to plant over 26,000 native trees in Virginia and 9,200 in New Jersey in support of the Arbor Day Foundation, demonstrating our commitment to being responsible stewards of the environment,” said Mark Gebbia, Vice President of Environmental, Permitting and Regulatory Affairs at Williams. “Doing what is right for our environment and our communities is part of who we are at Williams and this project is one of the many ways we aim to preserve resources for future generations while making a positive impact today.”
Reforestation efforts in New Jersey will help stabilize streambanks, reduce runoff, and improve water conditions for aquatic wildlife. The endangered wood turtle uses the forested stream corridors for egg-laying, foraging, and basking. Canopy cover will regulate in-stream temperatures and filter pollutants from stormwater runoff.
Restoring southern yellow pine in Virginia’s Oakley and Powhatan Wildlife Management Areas will improve habitat for a variety of species including red-cockaded woodpeckers and bobwhite quail. These trees will protect the headwaters of the Po River, home to the endangered species James Spinymussel.
To learn more about Williams visit: www.williams.com
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, more than 400 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, 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.