OTTAWA, ONTARIO — (Marketwire) — 04/26/12 — Editors– note: A photo is included with this press release on Marketwire–s website.
Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) is the 2011 recipient of the Eterne Award, a national award given to an outstanding sponsor of Tree Canada to recognize their environmental stewardship and commitment to improving the lives of Canadians through greening and reforestation projects.
In 2008, Loblaw began working with Tree Canada to further its commitment to greening Canadian communities. Their original program saw them launch a new, smaller version of their weekly sales flyer. Tree Canada calculated a savings of some 82,000 trees which the company in turn helped to plant.
Loblaw colleagues made a commitment that the –carbon footprint– of their yearly national meeting would be offset with additional tree planting. Most recently, in 2011, Loblaw supported a new program called “Edible Trees” to encourage schools, municipalities and community gardens to plant fruit and nut trees to beautify neighbourhoods. The response for this program has been overwhelming – more than 200 applications were received across Canada.
“Loblaw already enjoys a great reputation amongst Canadians for quality food and service. We are so proud to add to their accomplishments by acknowledging their wonderful efforts to establish a green legacy with us,” said Michael Rosen, Tree Canada President.
“Respect for the Environment is a key principle that drives the way we do business,” said Bob Chant, senior vice president, corporate affairs and communication, Loblaw Companies Limited. “Our partnership with Tree Canada is a good example of Loblaw–s commitment to our environment and focusing on issues where we can have the greatest impact.”
The Eterne Award is made from a section of an ancient tree found in the Salomon Creek valley in Alberta outside the eastern boundary of Jasper National Park. It was from a spruce tree growing in the valley in 2240-2400 B.C. The tree was 180 years old when a cataclysmic landslide buried it until it was unearthed again in 1980 by a flood.
Called “Eterne” to acknowledge the dynamism and eternal nature of trees and forests, the prize has been awarded annually since 1993.
About Tree Canada
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments. A winner of the Canadian Environmental Award (2007), Tree Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, more than 77 million trees have been planted, more than 450 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has organized 9 national urban forest conferences. More information about Tree Canada is available at .
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link:
Contacts:
Melissa Nisbett
Communications Officer
Tree Canada
(613) 567-5545 ext 224