11,000 Trees Planted in Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest With Funds Provided by the Arbor Day Foundation

Nebraska City, Neb. (Feb. 25, 2009) – The Virginia Department of Forestry will plant 11,000 trees in the Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest with funds provided by the Arbor Day Foundation.

The 11,000 trees will help reforest an area of the forest that recently had a prescribed burn. Loblolly pine will be planted in the forest starting this month. The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit tree-planting organization in the United States, with nearly one million members. The Foundation plants and distributes more than 10 million trees each year.

"Thanks to the generosity of our members and great partners and friends, we are able to work with the Virginia Department of Forestry on this extensive tree-planting project in Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest," said Dan Lambe, vice president of programs for the Arbor Day Foundation. "These trees will provide vital habitat for wildlife, and clean the air and water for all Virginians."

Appomattox-Buckingham State Forest is located 60 miles south of Charlottesville, and is the largest state forest in Virginia. The forest covers nearly 20,000 acres.

"We very much appreciate the donation of 11,000 seedlings from the Arbor Day Foundation," said Gary Heiser, Virginia State Forests Manager. "This will be a terrific partnership and, in these tough economic times, the gift is even more special as it will enable the Virginia Department of Forestry to replant a portion of our largest state forest."

This year, the Arbor Day Foundation is working with partners to plant trees in more than 10 states and territories in the United States.

Since 1989, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked with the U.S. Forest Service to plant trees in America's national forests. Since then, the Foundation has helped to plant more than 12 million trees in national forests that have been devastated by wildfire, insects and disease.

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About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization of nearly one 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 arborday.org.