The Natural Resources Council of America honored IKEA and American Forests for their joint national environmental initiative to plant 300,000 new trees, helping to dramatically reduce pollution in the U.S. The awards banquet occurred in Washington, DC, on Wednesday, December 6th.

IKEA, the world's leading home furnishings retailer, and American Forests, a renowned non-profit environmental restoration group, was presented with the Council's annual Conservation Community Award for the best in environmental innovation and effectiveness. The Council, composed of environmental and conservation organizations, is dedicated to fostering cooperation and consultation among a diverse, nationwide membership.

"Planting trees helps clean the air and cool the globe," said Pernille Lopez, president, IKEA North America. "At IKEA, we believe strongly in preserving and conserving the environment. This program, in particular, has helped restore forests damaged by fire, disease and insects. By working together, we can help make an ecological difference nationally and globally."

In 2006, American Forests collaborated with IKEA to ask IKEA shoppers to donate one dollar to plant a tree. IKEA matched donations for the first 100,000 trees planted. To date, IKEA and American Forests planted approximately 300,000 trees in the U.S., enough to offset 100,000 tons of CO2 pollution over the next 40 years.

"This program is a testament to the commitment of IKEA to good environmental stewardship, and also to IKEA's customers for their concern for forests and ecosystems in North America," said Deborah Gangloff, executive director of American Forests.

About American Forests

American Forests help people improve the environment with trees and forests. The organization is a world leader in tree planning for environmental restoration and a pioneer in advancing the science and practice of urban forestry and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests. American Forests helps people identify, recognize and preserve their special trees, and supports community-based initiatives to help people plan and implement local actions to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems and communities. American Forests is on the World Wide Web at www.americanforests.org.

About IKEA

IKEA believes home is the most important place in the world! Since its 1943 founding in Sweden, IKEA has offered home furnishings and accessories of good design and functional living solutions at prices so low that majority of the people can afford them. Currently there are 247 IKEA stores in 34 countries, including 29 in the U.S., where IKEA plans to open three - five stores a year. Other stores are being planned in: Brooklyn, NY; Draper, UT; Dublin, CA; Orlando, FL Portland, Somerville, MA and West Chester, OH. IKEA has been named to BusinessWeek's List of The Best Global Brands (August 7,2006) and for four consecutive years, Working Mother magazine's annual list of the "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" and Training magazine's annual "Top 100" ranking of companies that excel at human capital development . Additionally, IKEA has been on FORTUNE's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for two straight years. IKEA recently received the Foreign Policy Association Award for Global Corporate Social Responsibility. IKEA incorporates environmentally friendly efforts into day-to-day business and continuously supports initiatives that benefit causes such as children and the environment including UNICEF, Save the Children and American Forests. To visit the IKEA Web site, please go to www.IKEA-usa.com.

IKEA

IKEA

IKEA strives to be 'The Life Improvement Store,' and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 320 IKEA stores in 39 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings company, incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.

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