St. John's University Plants Trees Through Tree Campus USA

Queens, N.Y. (April 26, 2013) – Students and staff at St. John's 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. St. John's University is a first-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. Companion events this spring included tree plantings at the University of Florida, Alabama A&M University, Delaware State University and Rutgers University.

Today, 50 trees and shrubs were planted by the campus softball field.

"The Sustainability Department of St. John's is really excited that the university was recognized for its current tree care through the Tree Campus USA program," said Raelynne Lee, sustainability coordinator for St. John's University. "These partnerships encourage us to improve upon our tree care and to continue the growth and development of students, faculty and employees as environmental leaders. I hope that through this we are also able to encourage campuses across the country to join Tree Campus USA."

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.

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.