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April 8, 2008
McDonald’s Restaurants, Minnesota Forest Industries and KARE 11 are giving away 57,000 free seedlings on Arbor Day, plus inviting entries to have large trees also planted in yards

It’s the 7th annual state tree giveaway…

For the seventh 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 25. 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 Jeff Smith, 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 2007, the first year of the large-tree contest, more than 2,400 Minnesotans entered. Winners were drawn from the Minnesota cities of Coon Rapids, Esko, Hancock, Ramsey and Wyoming.

Wayne Brandt, MFI executive vice president, said 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, more than 20 million seedlings are planted throughout Minnesota to help replenish the state’s bountiful forests while also cleaning the air,” said 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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