Trees For Life and University of Guelph Plant 700 Trees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TORONTO, ON - Today, the national charity Trees for Life and the University of Guelph's Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics and Sustainability Office, partnered to plant 700 trees on the University's campus. With the planting of these trees, the collaborators will reduce the carbon footprint of the University’s recently constructed Lang Plaza and build a greener campus. Over 200 volunteers, many of them University of Guelph students, staff and supporters, participated in the planting throughout the day across from Lang Way, beside Lambton Hall.

“Trees for Life is honoured to participate in this event and to support the mission of The Lang School of Business and Economics to teach the next generation to use business as a force for good,” says Mark Cullen, Founder & President of Trees for Life. “The gathering of this community to plant a forest of 700 trees to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction of Lang Plaza showcases how individuals, institutions, and governments can collaborate for the benefit of a community now and in the future.  This project is a great example of the kind of ecological and social benefits we’ll see as a result of our work and it helps further our mission of planting trees where Canadians live, work and play. The funding provided by Natural Resources Canada through the Two Billion Tree Program is key to our success. Not only will we be able to support a wealth of worthwhile planting projects like this one, but our donors will be highly motivated to continue to provide support knowing that it is being matched by our federal government." 

“We are so pleased to welcome Trees for Life to campus to participate in this important event at the Lang School,” says Dr. Lysa Porth, Dean of the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. “We value collaborative communities, good citizenship, and a strong sense of belonging and this tree planting initiative captures the essence of our healthy and diverse community. I’m excited to join our students, faculty and other community members in planting these trees next to our campus." 

The Lang School is the Canadian leader in sustainable business education. The School’s MBA program is ranked #1 in Canada by Corporate Knights for its strength in responsible business education. “Lang business students graduate with the unquestionable belief that they have the ability to positively impact society, the environment and the economy,” says Porth.

This tree planting event was sponsored by the University of Guelph and funded in part by Trees for Life,  which is supported by Natural Resources Canada through the Federal Government’s  “2 Billion Trees Program”. 

Canadians are worried about the impact of climate change on their families and the planet. Trees for Life aims to harness these concerns into action and create a healthier, happier Canada by planting native trees and shrubs where people live, work and play. The organization’s Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign and GrandTrees Climate Solutions, raised over $12.4 million to support the planting and stewardship of 2 million trees in Ontario. Now, the charity looks forward to mobilizing community-based tree-planting initiatives across Canada.

Community members interested in supporting Trees for Life’s initiatives can learn more and donate at treesforlife.ca.

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About Trees for Life:

Canadian Trees for Life is a national charity driven to inspire, enable and mobilize, community tree and shrub-planting initiatives. Its mission is to create a healthier, happier Canada by planting trees where people live, work, and play. Trees for Life supports tree-planting organizations with partner outreach and advocacy, funding and fundraising tools, access to resources, and education. 

Its first projects, the Highway of Heroes Tree Campaign and GrandTrees Climate Solutions, raised over $12.4 million to support the planting and stewardship of 2 million trees in Ontario. Inspired by this donor and partner commitment, Trees for Life is extending its vision and impact nationwide. The charity received a $2 million grant from Natural Resources Canada through the Federal Government’s "2 Billion Trees Program". With this support and the strength of Trees for Life's connections, combined with its community-led approach and science-based planting methods, the most critical local needs are met and the tree-planting capacity of its partners is maximized. To learn more, donate, or  suggest a project, visit treesforlife.ca, or follow @CdnTreesforLife on Twitter and Facebook.

About Lang Plaza and the Lang School:
The newly constructed Lang Plaza is the hub of student and faculty activity at the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics at the University of Guelph. A nearly $1-million project, the Plaza includes biofiltration greenspace, water fountain and a fire place for the UofG community to enjoy. The Plaza is outside of Macdonald Hall, the Lang School’s campus.
 
The Lang School is a AACSB accredited business school and Canada’s leader in sustainable business education. The School’s MBA program ranks #1 in Canada by Corporate Knights for its focus on sustainable business while its undergraduate Commerce program ranks #2. The School is one of 39 global business schools to be considered a Champion of the United Nation’s responsible business education initiative, PRME.
 
The Lang School was officially launched in 2019 when Stu and Kim Lang donated $21-million to the University of Guelph to name the business school after Stu’s late father and entrepreneur, Gordon. Gordon S. Lang founded CCL industries in Toronto in 1951, stewarding the company to become a true Canadian success story. CCL is now the world’s largest label company. In 2018, the company’s revenue exceeded $4.7B with more than 20,000 employees worldwide at over 167 production facilities in 39 countries.