Growing a little goodness was never so easy. This Earth Month, Brentwood Academy and East Palo Alto residents can help turn over a new leaf for a local environmental project with the simple click of a mouse. Through its 2012 Plant a Tree program, Odwalla is donating $10,000 to worthy organizations, and California ReLeaf and Canopy’s Healthy Trees, Healthy Kids project is in the running for one of the grants.
2012 marks the fifth consecutive year Odwalla has made tree donations based on votes made by fans on the Plant a Tree program website. Over the past four years, the nourishing beverage and food bar company has provided $450,000 worth of trees to America’s state parks. The program has been updated this year to allow selected organizations to compete for $10,000 tree-planting project grants.
During April and May, visitors to the Plant a Tree website can support Healthy Tree, Healthy Kids by simply logging on and voting for the project’s video. No contribution is required. The 10 organizations with the most votes by May 31 will receive $10,000 each.
If selected, Healthy Trees, Healthy Kids will use the funds to plant 114 trees on the campus of Brentwood Academy and bring much need shade to its 500 students. The species of trees donated will vary by region and will be planted in fall 2012. “The Odwalla Plant a Tree program is very important to improving the air quality and creating safe and healthy spaces for the kids in East Palo Alto,” said Catherine Martineau, Executive Director of Canopy. “We hope all East Palo Alto residents will go to the website to ensure the success of our local project, which is sure to benefit local residents for many generations to come.”