Published 04-20-09
Submitted by Enterprise Rent-A-Car
April 20, 2009 (St. Louis, Missouri) - For the fourth consecutive year, 1 million trees will be planted to help replace those lost to disease, fire and other natural disasters. The new trees also will help protect watersheds, lessen the risk of infestation by invasive plants and restore wildlife habitat in the forest.
The project is part of the 50 Million Tree Pledge, a private/public/nonprofit partnership of Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the Arbor Day Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service. In 2009, the partnership will plant 1 million trees in national forests in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
Wildfires burned 5.1 million acres of U.S. forestland in 2008. Nationwide, the Forest Service has a backlog of more than 1 million acres identified as in need of replanting.
Enterprise launched the 50 Million Tree Pledge - a commitment to plant 50 million trees over 50 years at a cost of $50 million - in 2006 as part of its environmental stewardship effort. The initiative also marked the company's 50th anniversary.
Each year until 2056, with funding provided by the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation, the Arbor Day Foundation will work with the U.S. Forest Service to plant 1 million trees in national forests around the country, and in international locations where Enterprise does business, with the greatest and most immediate needs.
"Our nation's forests are some of America's most cherished resources," said Enterprise Chairman and CEO Andy Taylor. "Now, in our fourth year, Enterprise is continuing our long-term commitment to help restore public lands so that they can thrive today and for our children in the future. Our company is committed to a sustainable future, and this is just one way in which we’re contributing to the cause."
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In addition to helping to clean the air, trees also help to maintain a clean water supply, combat soil erosion and provide wildlife habitats. This year's projects were selected to help several forests affected by fire and disease, and rebuild and preserve habitats for endangered species.
The tree planting projects for 2009 include:
"This reforestation effort is helping to revive and reinvigorate forests that otherwise would be depleted by devastating fires and rampant disease," said John Rosenow, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. "The first four years of this program have made a big difference already, and it's exciting to think of the overall impact Enterprise's ongoing commitment will make over the next half-century."
Enterprise - along with National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car - is owned by the Taylor family of St. Louis and has the industry's most comprehensive environmental sustainability platform. In addition to the conservation effort, it includes:
About Enterprise Rent-A-Car
Founded in 1957 and headquartered in St. Louis, Enterprise Rent-A-Car is an internationally recognized brand with the largest fleet of passenger vehicles in the world today, more than 700,000 cars and trucks. Enterprise also operates a network of 7,000 neighborhood and airport rental locations in the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland and Germany. Enterprise of North America is part of a global strategic alliance with Europcar, creating the world’s largest car rental network.
As North America's largest car rental company, Enterprise is known for its exceptionally low rates, neighborhood convenience and its outstanding service, including picking up local customers at no extra cost. Ranked No. 18 on the Forbes Top 500 Private Companies in America, Enterprise has branch offices located within 15 miles of 90 percent of the U.S. population. In addition, Enterprise has ranked highest in customer satisfaction among airport rentals in nine out of the past ten years, according to J.D. Power and Associates Rental Car Satisfaction Study. For more information about Enterprise, visit www.enterprise.com.
About The Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit, environmental education organization of nearly 1 million members, 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.
Enterprise Rent-A-Car operates more than 878,000 rental and fleet management vehicles worldwide and has annual revenues of $9 billion. Last year, Enterprise opened more than 400 new locations, increasing its total locations to more than 7,000. Enterprise is currently number 21 on the Forbes "500 Largest Private Companies in America" list. The company has been recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as ranking highest in customer satisfaction among airport rental car companies in seven of the last eight years. For more information about Enterprise visit www.enterprise.com.
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