BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 3, 2006--Everyday in America each man, woman, and child generates nearly four pounds of trash. That's over one trillion pounds of solid waste or 365 trillion pounds each year! In an effort to teach kids about the power of environmental education in their own communities, Doubletree(R) Hotels (NYSE:HLT) has announced its third-year commitment with The National Arbor Day Foundation(R) as a continuation of the brand's successful Teaching Kids to CARE(R) program. This spring, more than 10,000 first through fifth grade students in 150 communities across North America are expected to participate in activities and events that empower a new generation to celebrate the earth and its natural resources.

From now through June, students will work hand in hand with their teachers and Doubletree hotel volunteers to turn collected trash into artistic treasures, discovering and implementing the three environmental Rs (Reuse, Reduce, Recycle) and planting more than 10,000 seedling trees through interactive projects in their own communities.

Since 2002, Teaching Kids to CARE is a community-based outreach initiative that has connected Doubletree hotels with local elementary schools and youth groups to educate children about making conscious decisions, such as caring for their community and the environment.

"The Teaching Kids to CARE community outreach program is a natural extension of Doubletree's CARE philosophy and a perfect vehicle to educate children about the proper way to care for the environment," said Dave Horton, senior vice president, brand management for Doubletree. "Children can make a powerful difference in the world when they 'think globally' and 'act locally.'"

Doubletree Hotels -- with help from The National Arbor Day Foundation -- is developing and providing lesson plans and resources to participating schools to teach children about the importance of caring for the environment and simple ways they can show they care every day. As part of the lesson plans, the students will create "Litter Critters," a representation of animals in the world negatively impacted by litter that can be formed together from various household waste items. From displays in classrooms to critter habitats at Doubletree properties, each creation will become an environmental show and tell for both the classroom and the community.

After completing this first lesson, each participating class will work with their local Doubletree Hotel in coordinating a Great Community Tree Celebration. Instead of throwing away their used milk cartons from a celebration that includes the brand's legendary chocolate chip cookies, students will be empowered to use the power of the 3Rs to reduce waste by recycling and reusing their milk cartons to create one of 10,000 tree planters. Each child will care for and nurture their seedlings, watch them grow, and prepare them for a new life in schoolyards, forests and neighborhoods across the country.

"Doubletree has played a pivotal role in educating children about caring for their community and understanding the importance of a clean and healthy environment," said Kevin Sander, corporate marketing director for the National Arbor Day Foundation. "A whole new generation of children will truly understand their important role in enhancing and improving the sustainability of our earth's resources for years to come."

About Arbor Day

Arbor Day began in Nebraska on April 10, 1872, when the State Board of Agriculture accepted a resolution from pioneer J. Sterling Morton "to set aside a day to plant trees, both forest and fruit." More than one million trees were planted on the first Arbor Day, and Morton became known as the official founder. Shortly after this 1872 observance, other states passed legislation to observe Arbor Day each year with appropriate ceremonies. By 1920 more than 45 states and territorial possessions were celebrating Arbor Day. Today, Arbor Day is celebrated in all fifty states on the last Friday in April.

About The National Arbor Day Foundation

The National Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit tree-planting organization in the country. Since its beginning in 1972, The National Arbor Day Foundation strives to teach elementary school students about the importance of trees; to replant trees in America's national forests that have been damaged by fire, insect or disease; to work with The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International and local nongovernmental organizations to preserve rain forest land through Rain Forest Rescue(TM) and support farmers through sales of Arbor Day(TM) Coffee; and to provide a wide range of opportunities for continuing education and development to professionals and laymen, with regional tree- and community-related seminars and conferences. For more information, visit www.arborday.com.

About Doubletree Hotels

With a growing collection of contemporary, upscale accommodations in more than 160 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations throughout the U.S., Canada and Latin America, Doubletree Hotels, Guest Suites and Resorts are distinctively designed properties that provide true comfort to today's business and leisure travelers. From the millions of delighted hotel guests who are welcomed with the brand's legendary, warm chocolate chip cookies at check-in to the advantages of the award-winning Hilton HHonors(R) guest reward program, each Doubletree guest receives a satisfying stay wherever their travels take them. To make reservations at any Doubletree hotel, travelers can visit our website at www.doubletree.com, contact their preferred travel professional or call 1-800-222-TREE in the U.S. and Canada.

Copyright Business Wire 2006

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