Employees in Houston and Aberdeen gathered during the months of March and April to make the world a little greener thanks to the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program. Founded in 2005, the program has granted more than 5 million trees to partners across the United States, and more recently was expanded to Scotland.
“We are thrilled to see the success of the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program extend to the U.K. with the donation of 3,600 trees to organizations in Scotland,” said Jillian Owen, U.K. country manager. “From primary schools to land management trusts, these trees will help our communities thrive and preserve local habitats for future generations.”
So far, 500 trees have been planted at River Dee Trust, a Scottish charity that works to protect and enhance the U.K. river and its famed wildlife; and Findochty Primary School, where 50 trees were planted. The River Dee Trust’s campaign will mitigate the climate-related challenges and the devastating decline of the river’s biodiversity. At Findochty Primary School, the donated trees provide educational, environmental and social advantages that will enrich the school experience for current and future students.
In Houston, employees volunteered at Houston Botanic Gardens, where Jessica Jackson, vice president of Environment, Health and Safety, offered remarks and planted several trees alongside volunteers. At Watonga Park, the company’s CEO John Christman kicked off the tree planting celebration and spoke alongside Houston Mayor John Whitmire, city council representatives and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department. Volunteers at both events collectively planted nearly 3,000 trees.
“The trees we planted at Houston Botanic Gardens will benefit the local environment by mitigating flood waters, capturing greenhouse gas emissions and providing shade in the Texas heat,” Jackson said. “We implement a sustainability framework in all that we do as a company, making this tree planting event especially meaningful for Apache and our commitment to environmental stewardship.”
Christmann, along with other company leaders, joined a crowd of approximately 350 people, comprising Apache employees and several community organizations, to plant thousands of trees on Earth Day.
The trees planted at both locations were strategically placed in a riparian area, or where the land meets a stream. This effort supports floodwater management, filters pollutants from the water cycle and prevents soil erosion.
“Our partnership with the City of Houston benefits countless Houstonians who enjoy the green spaces that make our city beautiful and sustainable,” Christmann said. “We recognize the importance of Earth Day and believe that responsible energy development and conservation initiatives go hand-in-hand.”
On May 6, applications for the Apache 2024 Tree Grant Program opened to the public. Read the full news release here.
May 2024