Delaware State University Plants Trees Through Tree Campus USA

Dover, Del. (April 18, 2013) – Students and staff at Delaware State University planted trees donated by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota this morning, in celebration of the university's commitment to tree care and conservation. Delaware State University is a second-year Tree Campus USA.

Today's volunteer activity is one of a series of hands-on tree planting events sponsored by the Foundation and Toyota during the spring of 2013, and one of two held at historically black colleges and universities.

Companion events this spring include tree plantings at the University of Florida, Alabama A&M University, Rutgers University and St. John's University.

Today, a ceremonial tree was planted near Loockerman Hall, across from the College of Agricultural Science grounds. An additional 25 trees donated by the Foundation and Toyota were planted immediately following Hurricane Sandy. The celebration was held in conjunction with Delaware State's annual Earth Day festivities.

"Delaware State University is enriched by the diversity and beauty of the trees on its campus, and we're honored to have received a generous gift of trees from the Arbor Day Foundation," said Susan Yost, educator with the Claude E. Phillips Herbarium Department of Agriculture & Natural Resources. "We've excited to have established an arboretum on campus, with 172 different species of labeled trees and shrubs that are used for teaching and research, as well as student-involvement in tree management."

Launched in 2008 with generous support from Toyota, Tree Campus USA has grown to include nearly 200 colleges and universities, and participating campuses invested $23 million in tree care last year. More information about the program is available at arborday.org/TreeCampusUSA.

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About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org, or by visiting us on Facebook at facebook.com/arborday or Twitter at twitter.com/arborday.

About Toyota: Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants. Toyota directly employs over 31,000 in the United States and its investment here is currently valued at more than $19.5 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design.

Toyota is committed to being a good corporate citizen in the communities where it does business and believes in supporting programs with long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, focusing on education, the environment and safety. To date, Toyota has contributed nearly $700 million to philanthropic programs in the United States.

For more information on Toyota's commitment to improving communities nationwide, visit http://www.toyota.com/philanthropy.