The Arbor Day Foundation Partners With Hershey in Reforestation Efforts

More than 130,000 trees to be planted in Virginia, Georgia and Kentucky

LINCOLN, Neb., April 30, 2018 – The Arbor Day Foundation and The Hershey Company are pleased to announce a reforestation partnership focusing on repairing national forests damaged by species invasions, resource extraction and forest fires in Kentucky, Florida and Virginia. The 133,333 trees planted benefit the Paul Van Booven Wildlife Area (KY), South Quay Sandhills Preserve (VA) and the Sansavilla Wildlife Management Area (GA).

"We are grateful to have The Hershey Company as a partner, becoming stewards of our nation's forests," said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation. "Our forests are part of the long and important legacy of the people and the land of our country. Thanks to The Hershey Company's partnership, thousands of trees will be planted to help clean the air, protect water resources, and restore habitat and beauty to forests that have suffered devastation."

The initial impact will benefit the region over the next half-a-century and will result in the reduction of more than 38,000 tons of carbon dioxide and 2,600 tons of air pollution avoided. Additionally, more than 6.5 trillion gallons of rainfall will be intercepted by the planted trees which will results in a slowdown and lessening of nitrous and phosphates, as well as, higher levels of avoided runoff, sediment and nitrogen into the water supply.

"Social responsibility is at the heart of everything we do at The Hershey Company," said Jeff King, Sr. Director Sustainability, CSR and Social Innovation. "America's forests are our national treasures, and we are pleased to support the planting efforts to preserve these areas for generations to come. Hershey cares about the environment and protecting our natural resources. We are proud that our reforestation efforts will help negate the effects of climate change."

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About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. During the last 45 years, more than 300 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger.

As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. ?More information is available at?arborday.org.?

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company, headquartered in Hershey, Pa., is a global confectionery company known for bringing goodness to the world through its chocolate, sweets, mints and other great-tasting snacks. Hershey has approximately 17,000 employees around the world who work every day to deliver delicious, quality products. The company has more than 80 brands around the world that drive more than $7.5 billion in annual revenues, including such iconic brand names as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Building on its core business, Hershey is expanding its portfolio to include a broader range of delicious snacks.

At Hershey, goodness has always been about more than delicious products. For more than 120 years, Hershey has been committed to operating fairly, ethically and sustainably. Hershey founder, Milton Hershey, created the Milton Hershey School in 1909 and since then the company has focused on giving underserved children the skills and support they need to be successful. Today, the company continues this social purpose through 'Nourishing Minds,' a global initiative that provides basic nutrition to help children learn and grow. From neighborhoods across the United States to the streets of Shanghai and Mumbai and villages of West Africa, our goal is to nourish one million minds by 2020.

To learn more -
Visit: www.thehersheycompany.com