COLUMBUS, OH -- A new tree planting agreement between the State of Ohio and International Paper Corporation (IP) has resulted in the planting of 70,000 trees this spring, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
In recognition of the new agreement, state foresters are working with the company to plant nearly 1,000 additional trees at schools around Ohio as part of the state's Arbor Day observances, which are occurring on or near Arbor Day, April 26.
The partnership was established to provide more tree seedlings to private forest owners in Ohio who will grow them under a "sustainable forestry" plan.
Under the new program, seedlings were provided to 37 different coordinators in 16 counties for reforestation purposes, said John Dorka, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. We are happy to have International Paper support our forest nursery program and the private woodland owners this way.
According to Dorka, these additional trees are also supporting Governor Bob Taft's Bicentennial Legacy Tree Program which has as its goal the planting of 2 million trees - one for each Ohio schoolchild - before the states 200th anniversary in 2003. Nearly 1.2 million trees have been planted to date.
International Paper, the world's largest paper, packaging and forest products company, has facilities in 11 Ohio communities, said Suzanne Yenchko, company spokesperson. Many of our employees have children in the participating schools. We feel this is a great way to celebrate Arbor Day and our new partnership with ODNR, by giving trees to the communities to nurture for years to come.
Ohio's forest cover has been increasing for the past 100 years. Today, more than 30 percent of the state is covered by trees, compared to about 10 percent in 1900.
ODNR's two forest nurseries produce more than 5 million seedlings each year for sale to Ohioans. Since the 1920s, more than a half billion seedlings have been planted in Ohio from the state nursery system.
EDITORS NOTE: Tree planting events are scheduled for April 26 at schools in Mason, Loveland, Milford and Hamilton. Events will be held in Ashtabula and Baltimore at a later date. For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com