BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2007--In celebration of National Arbor Day, Friday, April 27, Doubletree(R) Hotels (NYSE:HLT) is branching out with a month-long "Pledge to Plant Challenge" by encouraging America to help plant 50,000 seedling trees, as an extension of the brand's environmental education and preservation efforts. Together, with The National Arbor Day Foundation(R), the hotelier is challenging Americans to "think trees" in an active effort to re-green America and reinforce the importance of trees in our everyday lives.

By visiting www.doubletree.com/thinktrees between now and May 31, eco-friendly people making a personal pledge to plant may receive two of their very own seedling trees, compliments of Doubletree and The National Arbor Day Foundation which they can plant and raise. No purchase or hotel reservation is necessary. Doubletree will match every Pledge to Plant Promise by donating an additional two live seedling trees to plant in a regional or national forest in need, through reforestation projects currently underway by The National Arbor Day Foundation.

In addition to this nationwide re-greening project, more than 100,000 forest green "Think Trees" ribbons will be proudly worn by Doubletree employees, more than 10,000 grade school students and anyone visiting any of Doubletree's 180 properties on April 27 to celebrate Arbor Day in a unified effort to show their support for one of the planet's most precious natural resources.

Doubletree's "Pledge to Plant" campaign is just the latest effort to educate individuals on the importance of environmental conservation and preservation. For the past five years, the Doubletree Teaching Kids to CARE(R) program - an award-winning, community-based outreach initiative that connects Doubletree hotels with local elementary schools and youth groups to educate children about making civic pride and responsibility - has educated more than 100,000 children about caring for their community and the environment. Through an industry-exclusive, spring initiative with The National Arbor Day Foundation, more than 50,000 trees already have been planted across North America by Doubletree hotels and their adopted youth volunteers during the past four years. Doubletree hopes to further bring its name to life with this month-long initiative by encouraging adults across America to assist in the same tree planting promise in just one month.

"Doubletree Hotels is honored and proud to extend their commitment of environmental education to kids of all ages across the country - by actually encouraging thousands of Americans the chance to plant two trees of their own - so that they truly understand how simple it can be to enhance and improve the sustainability of our earth's resources for years to come," said Dave Horton, senior vice president, brand management for Doubletree. "As a hotel brand dedicated to sharing our CARE philosophy in communities where we do business, we believe our Teaching Kids to CARE program and Pledge to Plant Challenge are two excellent ways to teach future generations about how we all win when we care for one another and our global environment."

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 with National Arbor Day being observed on the last Friday in April.

"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. "It's time America takes notice and celebrates our environment with the ultimate gift of preservation and restoration."

No purchase is necessary for the Doubletree Pledge to Plant Challenge. Limit to two seedlings trees per person, up to 10,000 entries. Delivered to U.S. and Canada addresses only. Two seedling trees per person will be shipped by the National Arbor Day Foundation on or about June 15, 2007. Types of seedling trees will vary based on region of the country. Those residing in southern states with extreme summer temperatures will be contacted by the National Arbor Day Foundation via e-mail to determine appropriate shipment for proper tree planting through fall 2007.

To make a "Pledge to Plant" and re-green America or to find out more about the Doubletree Teaching Kids to CARE community outreach program, visit www.doubletree.com/thinktrees.

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 their Rain Forest Rescue(R) 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 180 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.

As a proud member of the Hilton Family of Hotels, Doubletree adheres to founder Conrad Hilton's philosophy that, "It has been, and continues to be, our responsibility to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality." The company put a name to its unique brand of service that has made it the best known and most highly regarded hotel company: be hospitable(R). The philosophy is shared by all brands in the Hilton Family of Hotels, and is the inspiration for its overarching message of kindness and generosity. To learn more about our be hospitable philosophy, please visit www.behospitable.com.

For more information or 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 2007

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