Arbor Day Foundation Joins Forces With International Paper and L'Oreal USA to Restore Critical Monarch Butterfly Habitats

LINCOLN, Nebraska (June 30, 2020) – Alongside key corporate partners International Paper and L’Oreal USA, the Arbor Day Foundation has announced a partnership with the Land Life Company to support reforestation efforts for critical Monarch butterfly habitats in Estado de México, Mexico. This partnership will support efforts to replant and restore degraded areas of the “Zona Nucleo,” the breeding ground for the Monarch, beginning June 2020.

“We are grateful to partners like International Paper and L’Oreal for their commitment to restoring the forest ecosystems that provide the necessities of life for both wildlife and local communities,” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation.

Each year, millions of Monarchs migrate to this area to spend winter among the Oyamel trees, fir trees that protect the butterflies from seasonal rain and cold. However, areas of Zona Nucleo require restoration due to illegal logging and wildfires. Land Life Company works alongside CONAFOR (Mexican Ministry of Forestry), CONANP (Ministry of Protected Natural Areas) and the World Wildlife Fund to restore degraded forest land, protecting the Monarch’s habitat for generations to come. This initiative also engages local communities that rely on the forest for their livelihoods, water, and food. These communities play a critical role in patrolling Monarch nesting grounds to prevent illegal logging.

The Monarch butterfly is an important pollinator that contributes to the health of our planet. However, due to climate change and loss of habitat, especially in Mexico and California, its population has fallen by more than 80 percent since the mid-1990s.

“We are committed to building a better future for people and the planet. By joining forces with the Arbor Day Foundation and L’Oreal, we can make meaningful contributions to both,” said Dr. Alissa Campbell Shaw, senior manager, Community Engagement, and executive director, IP Foundation. “At International Paper, the fiber used to make our products comes from responsibly managed sources. We will not knowingly accept fiber from illegally logged forests or from forests where high conservation values are threatened by management activities. We are so excited to improve this critical habitat while engaging the local community that depends on this forest.”

“We are proud to partner with The Arbor Day Foundation and support its mission to restore and protect the critical forest habitat for over one billion monarch butterflies,” said Stéphane Rinderknech, President and CEO, L’Oréal USA. “The Great Monarch Migration is one of our planet’s most precious natural wonders, and the butterfly is a critical pollinator and the living embodiment of beauty. At L’Oréal, we have a global commitment to sustainability and protecting biodiversity is at the heart of our L’Oréal for the Future program.”

"It's a privilege to work with our partners, along with the local communities, who are so passionate to restore this area for a very special butterfly,” said Willemijn Stoffels, Chief Operating Officer at Land Life Company.

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. During the last 45 years, more than 350 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 worldwide 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 more than 50,000 colleagues and serve more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. Net sales for 2019 were $22 billion. For more information about International Paper, our products and global citizenship efforts, please visit internationalpaper.com. See how we’re building a better future for people, the planet and our company at internationalpaper.com/Vision-2030.

About L’Oreal USA

L'Oréal USA is the largest subsidiary?of the L'Oréal Group, the world’s leading beauty company. L’Oréal USA manages a portfolio of more than 35 iconic beauty brands, including Garnier, Giorgio Armani Beauty,?Kérastase, Lancôme, La Roche-Posay, L’Oréal Paris and Yves Saint Laurent?Beauté. L’Oréal USA also serves as the international hub for the product development and marketing strategy for L’Oréal’s 20 American brands: Baxter of California, Carol’s Daughter,?CeraVe, Clarisonic,?Color&Co, Dermablend,?essie, IT Cosmetics, Kiehl’s, Matrix, Maybelline New York, Mizani, NYX Professional Makeup,??PulpRiot,?Pureology, Ralph Lauren Fragrances, Redken,?Softsheen-Carson, SkinCeuticals and Urban Decay. Generating more than $7 billion in sales annually, L’Oréal USA is committed to growth through sustainable innovation, driven by the company’s Sharing Beauty?With?All ambition for sustainable development across the Group’s value chain. The company is headquartered in New York City, employs more?than 11,000 people, and operates administrative, research, manufacturing and distribution facilities across 14 states, including Arkansas, California, Florida, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas and Washington. For more information, visit?www.lorealusa.com?or follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @LOrealUSA.?