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April 14, 2009
McDonald's, Minnesota Forest Industries and KARE 11 are giving away 57,000 free seedlings on Arbor Day - April 24 - plus inviting entries to have large trees also planted in yards
For the eighth consecutive year, McDonald’s restaurants throughout Minnesota are teaming up with Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI) to give away 57,000 free seedlings to McDonald’s customers on Arbor Day, Friday, April 24. KARE 11 TV in the Twin Cities is also co-sponsoring the Arbor Day giveaway.
Red Pine seedlings – the Minnesota state tree – will be available at more than 225 participating McDonald’s in Minnesota, while supplies last. No purchase is necessary.
“McDonald’s is pleased to once again team up with Minnesota Forest Industries and KARE 11 in what has become an annual tradition of helping Minnesotans plant trees in yards all over the state,” said Paul Ostergaard, McDonald’s Twin Cities co-op president. “Many people come back every Arbor Day to get a new tree to add to their own backyard forests.”
Also this year, McDonald’s and MFI are inviting people to enter to win one of five large, free trees that will be given away and planted in winners’ yards. In 2008, the second year of the large-tree contest, more than 3,200 Minnesotans entered. Winners were drawn from the Minnesota cities of Columbia Heights, Osakis, Mankato, Wells and Saginaw.
People may again enter to win a large tree in several ways: by clipping an entry form from Arbor Day tray liners that will be in McDonald’s restaurants in April; by downloading an entry form from www.minnesotaforests.com; by filling in the entry form provided with each of the 57,000 free seedlings; or simply by mailing in their name, address and phone number to: Minnesota Tree Contest, 903 Medical Arts Building, 324 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN 55802. The entry deadline is May 15.
“Each year, millions of seedlings are planted throughout Minnesota to help replenish the state’s bountiful forests while also cleaning the air,” said MFI executive vice president Wayne Brandt. “With the average tree absorbing 50 pounds of carbon each year, those seedlings are doing a lot to help combat global warming.”
MFI, an association representing Minnesota’s forest products industry, encourages conservation, proper forest management and industry development that foster sound environmental stewardship, multiple use of timberlands and long-term timber supply.
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