AAA - The Auto Club Group, Arbor Day Foundation Announce Partnership to Support Multifaceted Tree Planting Efforts

LINCOLN, Nebraska (July 1, 2024) – The Auto Club Group (ACG) and the Arbor Day Foundation have launched a partnership that will support a variety of tree planting projects throughout the U.S. These projects include large-scale reforestation efforts in National, State, and other public and private forests, as well as community forestry projects in Chicago and Detroit.

The Auto Club Group is AAA’s second largest and fastest-growing AAA club in North America, serving more than 13 million members across 14 states and two U.S. territories. The projects supported through this partnership are focused on planting 50,000 trees across ACG’s footprint and supporting environmental stewardship in the communities they serve. Many of the reforestation projects aim to help restore ecosystems recovering from disasters such as hurricanes, disease, and deforestation. The community-based projects help support urban forestry efforts to address local concerns of poor air quality and urban heat island effect. Trees are a proven and natural solution to these issues by helping sequester carbon, reduce air pollution, and provide shade and cooling to reduce risk of heat-related illness.

“Our mission, first and foremost, is to inspire people to plant, nurture, and celebrate trees, and it’s truly inspiring when we get to partner with an organization that is supportive of each part of that mission,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Whether we’re working in forests, cities, or our own backyard, planting the right tree at the right time in the places that need it most is paramount to how we go about our work. We are thrilled to partner with ACG to inspire meaningful impact through these projects.”

The Arbor Day Foundation has worked to plant more than 500 million trees in forests and communities around the world. Through a global network of partnerships, the Foundation facilitates projects that empower organizations of all sizes to reach their sustainability goals via measurable, impactful work through trees and forests. The Foundation has set a goal to?plant 500 million trees?by June 2027 in the forests and communities that need them most.

This partnership emphasizes The Auto Club Group’s commitment to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) values and the vital role of sustainability in our communities.

“ACG is proud to partner with the Arbor Day Foundation, in effort to enhance green spaces, and promote, advocate, and support environmental stewardship,” said Ken Mathies, Vice President, Chief Diversity Officer of DEI and Sustainability for The Auto Club Group. “This collaboration highlights our dedication to creating a healthier, more sustainable future, and ensuring that our strategic initiatives benefit generations to come.”

Additionally, ACG is granting Arbor Day Foundation memberships to 500 of its employees. This gives them access to a variety of tree education resources, stories and updates from forestry projects, and 10 native tree seedlings shipped to their home and determined by the hardiness zone they live in.

To learn more about how you can also become an Arbor Day Foundation member, visit arborday.org/members.