Cacapon Institute Honored With Arbor Day Foundation's Headwaters Award

International Arbor Day Foundation Award Honors Water Quality Programming

LINCOLN, Neb., April 25, 2018 – The Arbor Day Foundation has announced today that Cacapon Institute of West Virginia have been awarded the Foundation's inaugural Headwaters Award which celebrates innovative programs -- in rural or urban areas -- that support the improvement of water quality and quantity through forestry activities.

The award will be presented on Monday, April 30, coinciding with the town's Arbor Day celebration.

For more than 30 years, Cacapon Institute has focused on protecting West Virginia's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, while also supporting forestry-related education and projects along the headwaters of the Potomac River. As a regional leader in forestry activities, Cacapon Institute uses tree planting, education and stewardship as solutions for improving water quality. They have engaged thousands of volunteers in tree planting projects along the Potomac watershed using CommuniTree, the largest volunteer tree planting and stewardship program in the state. Since 2012, more than 11,000 volunteers have helped Cacapon Institute plant trees in communities across West Virginia.

"We salute Cacapon Institute's stewardship in and around the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay Watershed," said Dan Lambe, president of the Arbor Day Foundation. "Because of their important work, more than 64,000 miles of watershed has been preserved."

Since 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has recognized the inspiring and life-changing work of leading environmental stewards and tree planters through the annual Arbor Day Awards. Award winners from previous years include the late Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai, Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley, the United States Forest Service and Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

This award winner is one of six internationally being honored for their outstanding contribution to tree planting, conservation and stewardship. The remainder of the 2018 Arbor Day Award winners will be presented with their award during their local Arbor Day celebrations. More information can be found at CelebrateArborDay.com.

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 300 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.

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