April’s spring conditions mean we get to enjoy the blooming and leafing of many trees, which makes it a good month for Arbor Day. Held each April, Arbor Day encourages the care and planting of trees, which provide countless benefits to our planet. To mark the occasion, we’re hoping to plant even more trees, and you can help.

In the United States, our national forests alone are home to more than 3,000 different wildlife species. American forests also store more than 800 million tons of carbon each year, making them an ally in worldwide efforts to curb emissions.

Even further, research has shown that trees and forests in the lower 48 remove so much air pollution that they save more than 850 lives and 670,000 cases of acute respiratory symptoms in a year. This doesn’t even touch on their water filtering, stabilization of stream banks, erosion reduction, and the oxygen they provide us.

A new executive order, though, is calling for the U.S. Secretary of the Interior and Secretary of Agriculture to issue new or updated guidance on ways to boost domestic logging, with the goal of increasing it by 25%. At the same time, the Secretary of Agriculture has made an Emergency Situation Determination calling 112.6 million acres – or 59% - of National Forest Service lands an emergency situation, citing wildfire risk, disease, and insects. This would allow logging projects to receive expedited permitting and expedited or eliminated environmental review.

With this in mind, we’re committed to our partnerships in tree planting. That includes our support for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resource’s Future Forest Fund, which allows donations from private entities and citizens to help bolster tree planting funds already allocated by the Minnesota legislature.

With your clicks, trivia participation, shopping for a cause, and direct donations, we’ve supported this program for several years. In that time, we’ve helped plant tens of thousands of white pine, white spruce, and red oak trees to strengthen the forests along Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota. This has helped establish climate-adapted tree species, maintain water quality for residents in the area, and increase deer habitat.

Most recently, in 2024, we funded the planting of 20,000 seedlings on three sites across 82 acres in Minnesota state forests. That included 12,320 white pines, 360 white spruces, 3,300 northern red oaks, 3,300 basswood, and 720 yellow birch trees.

Mike Reinikainen, State Silviculturist at the Minnesota DNR's Division of Forestry, says, "This partnership is helping us add diversity and build resilience in our northern forests."

Further support for projects like the Future Forest Fund will help us work together to positively impact ecosystems, filter air and water, provide food and habitat for wildlife, provide essential wood products, and allow residents plenty of green space to enjoy. If you’d like to help us celebrate Arbor Day by ensuring a few more trees can be planted, click below!