The Arbor Day Foundation and International Paper Grow Trees, Partnership

LINCOLN, Nebraska (May 20, 2021) – International Paper, one of the world’s leading producers of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp, and paper, and the Arbor Day Foundation announce their intention to grow their partnership in 2021.

In 2019, International Paper formed a partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant and distribute trees in areas affected by natural disasters. These trees have provided hope and healing to many across North America who have faced incredible hardships following hurricanes, fires, floods, and tornados. These hard-hit areas have also offered employees of International Paper an opportunity to plant trees themselves in cities such as Los Angeles, CA, Memphis, TN and Pensacola, FL. This work expands outside of the United States through a project that restores degraded forest land in critical monarch butterfly habitats in Estado de México, Mexico.

Last year, International Paper announced its Vision 2030 goals, a commitment to building a better future for people and the planet. The work being accomplished by this partnership complements that commitment. To date, the Arbor Day Foundation has worked with International Paper to reforest more than 525.45 acres of public lands in Florida, Georgia and other areas following devastating natural disasters, work that supports the company’s goal for Healthy and Abundant Forests. Aligned with the company’s goal of Thriving People and Communities, the International Paper team continues to support tree giveaways and tree planting events such as the upcoming project with Keep Pensacola Beautiful in Pensacola. These projects also complement International Paper’s Sustainable Operations goal, which targets the company’s impact on the climate and local water stewardship – two areas in which healthy trees naturally play a role.

Complementing both organizations’ vision for the future, the partnership will expand in 2021 to include community events that respond to the interconnected health and well-being of people in urban and rural communities and their natural environments. These 2021 events will build on the work that was started on projects such as the monarch butterfly habitat restoration and take that work into more communities.

“We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with International Paper as they work towards their Vision 2030 goals,” said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Whether it’s through community plantings or reforestation work, their vision for the future perfectly aligns with our work toward a more satisfying future through environmental justice and equity.”

“Sustainability, at its heart, is about the interdependence of social, economic and environmental factors that drive a regenerative future,” said Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, senior manager, community engagement and executive director, IP Foundation. “Our Vision 2030 goals are International Paper’s commitment to building a better future, and these goals reflect this critical intersection of people and planet. Our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation is just one way we’re making good on this commitment.”

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters and valued partners. Since 1972, more than 400 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger. As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

About International Paper

International Paper (NYSE: IP) is a leading global producer of renewable fiber-based packaging, pulp and paper products with manufacturing operations in North America, Latin America, Europe, North Africa and Russia. We produce corrugated packaging products that protect and promote goods, and enable world-wide commerce; pulp for diapers, tissue and other personal hygiene products that promote health and wellness; and papers that facilitate education and communication. We are headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., employ approximately 48,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2020 were $21 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com