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News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 17, 2003

GOVERNOR TAFT AND OHIO SCHOOLCHILDREN CELEBRATE
EARTH DAY AT THE STATEHOUSE
2,000,000th Tree Planted, Completing Bicentennial Initiative

COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Bob Taft and Ohio schoolchildren today planted an Ohio buckeye tree on the Statehouse lawn to symbolize the 2,000,000th tree to be planted across the state through the state’s Bicentennial Legacy Tree Planting Program. On Earth Day 1999, Taft unveiled the initiative, aimed at planting one tree for each Ohio school child by the state’s Bicentennial celebration this year. Today marked the completion of the initiative.

“Four years ago, we outlined a comprehensive, statewide tree planting effort to do more to reforest Ohio and encourage tree planting in our towns and cities, and across the rural landscape,” said Taft. “In four years, we have met our goal in planting 2,000,000 additional trees - over and above the 5,000,000 Ohio already plants each year. This effort is a true and lasting legacy we can leave for Ohio’s children and for the children of future generations.”

Speaking to students from school districts across the state, Governor Taft also talked about the progress Ohio has made since the first Earth Day was held in 1970.

  • More than $39,000,000 has been awarded through the Clean Ohio program to assist local communities to clean up and redevelop brownfield sites, protect green space, preserve farmland, improve water quality and expand Ohio's network of recreational trails and greenways.
  • Governor Taft authorized the purchase of 123.5 acres of lakefront property on Middle Bass Island in 2000, a site now being developed as Ohio’s newest state park.
  • Ohio's wildlife reintroduction program enjoys continued success with preliminary reports showing 86 nesting pairs of bald eagles in Ohio, a modern-day record.
  • Since 2001, more than $10,000,000 has been invested in a record number of Abandoned Mine Land Projects to address environmental and public safety issues in 19 Ohio counties. This investment is improving water quality, reducing flooding and helping revive the economy in eastern and southeastern counties.
  • The Forestry Initiative, announced in June 2000, is a comprehensive approach to promote environmentally responsible forest management on public and privately owned woodlands in Ohio.

The Bicentennial Legacy Tree Planting Program was coordinated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, with support from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the Ohio Department of Transportation. Through the program, new trees have been planted in Ohio communities, along roadways, at reclaimed abandoned surface-mined lands, and new sections of Ohio’s state forests and wildlife areas have been reforested.

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For Further Information Contact:
Jim Lynch, ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6886