2016 First Downs for Trees
On Oct. 26, the First Downs for Trees program celebrated its 10th year by distributing 428 trees to 16 Brown County communities for planting. First Downs for Trees is a cooperative effort between the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Green Bay Packers, Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) and corporate sponsors Essity and Green Bay Packaging, Inc. The program donates trees to participating communities based on the number of first downs in the previous season.
“The Packers have always been great neighbors and have done a lot for Brown County communities,” said Wisconsin DNR Urban Forestry Coordinator Tracy Salisbury.
The donated trees help the Packers offset their carbon footprint and also increase the urban forest canopy and provide a plethora of environmental, economic, social and health benefits to Brown County residents. To date, 5,572 trees have been planted through the program, providing total lifetime benefits of $26.9 million through lower energy bills, reduced stormwater runoff, cleaner air and water and higher property values.
This year, Meacham Nursey and Leaves Inspired provided trees to the communities of Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Brown County, De Pere, Green Bay, Hobart, Howard, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Morrison, Oneida Tribe, Pulaski, Scott, Suamico and Wrightstown.