June 9, 2011

The Odwalla Plant a Tree Program Allows Michigan Residents to Donate Trees, Free of Charge, to State Parks

Michigan residents don't need to get down and dirty this summer to help plant trees for their state park system. With the ease of a mouse click, visitors to www.odwalla.com/plantatree can designate a tree to be planted in Michigan, through the Odwalla Plant a Tree program ? a partnership to support the environment and help with important reforestation and planting initiatives.

Now through Aug. 31, 2011, an individual can plant a tree by simply visiting www.odwalla.com/plantatree and clicking on Michigan. No contribution is required.

Odwalla is donating $100,000 worth of trees to be planted across the country through the program. Each state's tree allotment is determined by where website visitors choose to plant trees. The trees will be used to help restore areas in Michigan state parks that have been hardest hit by invasive species like the emerald ash borer. The species of trees donated will vary by region and will be planted in fall 2011 and early 2012.

"The Odwalla Plant a Tree program is very important to our department's continued reforestation and beautification efforts in Michigan state parks," said Ron Olson, chief of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Parks and Recreation Division. "We hope all Michigan residents go to the website to ensure our state parks receive the maximum number of trees."

Since its inception in 2008, the Odwalla Plant a Tree program has donated $350,000 worth of trees nationwide. Last year, voters helped Michigan capture the top spot, sending more than $45,000 worth of free trees to Michigan state parks.

The program is the latest 2011 initiative by Odwalla to support the environment. Odwalla recently transitioned all of its single-serve bottles to PlantBottle? packaging, made from up to 100 percent plant-based materials, and also completed the installation of Bloom Energy fuel cell technology at its Dinuba, Calif., packaging facility, which reduces the plant's carbon footprint by an estimated 35 percent.

Odwalla, Inc. delivers nourishment coast to coast with the Odwalla family of juices, juice drinks, smoothies, protein drinks and nourishing food bars. Odwalla has been making juices and innovating in the natural health beverage category for 30 years. Its nourishing beverages and food bars are available in natural food stores, select supermarkets and specialty outlets throughout the country. To learn more about Odwalla products and Odwalla's commitment to the environment, please visit www.odwalla.com or call 1.800.ODWALLA. Also follow Odwalla on Facebook and Twitter (@Odwalla).

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.