Cooperative Effort Helps Plant Memories (NAPSA)—A long- standing partnership has resulted in one of the largest private reforestation initiatives in the history of the United States. Since its inception, the cooperative effort, which celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary in 2001, has resulted in nine million trees planted throughout the world and the restoration and repair of some of North America’s most cherished forestland. Called the Living Memorial Tree-Planting Program, this environmental initiative has provided for tree plantings in almost all of the 156 U.S. national forests. In addition, the program has grown internationally to include The Canadian Forestry Association, The Grand River Foundation in Canada, The Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers and The National Forest Company in the United Kingdom. The planting program represents a collaboration between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and Batesville Casket Company. These trees help improve air quality, limit land erosion and help wildlife thrive—the Forest Service has planted a numberof Whitebark pine trees, for example, an important food source for endangered grizzly bears. A memorial program has led to the planting of nine million trees throughout the world since 1976. Whena family selects a casket or urn made by Batesville, the funeral director can make arrangements to plant a tree in memory of a loved one. The Department of Forestry then determines what species is most in need of replenishing and where, and a tree is planted. The program not only helps replenish the environment, it can also help grieving families take comfort in the knowledge that they have helped keep American forests rich and beautiful for generations to come. For more information, visit www.batesville.com.
