Programs total of 7,544 trees will provide $35 million in lifetime benefits

The Green Bay Packers and Green Bay Packaging Inc. recognized another successful year of the "First Downs for Trees" program Friday by planting a tree at Josten Park in Bellevue.

One of the Packers' Green Team initiatives, the program donates trees to participating Brown County communities based on the number of first downs scored by the Packers in the previous season.

Green Bay Packaging, Inc., the program's corporate partner, once again provided funds that supported the planting of 350 trees in 15 Brown County communities this spring.

Two nurseries, Meacham Nursery and Leaves Inspired, provided the trees this year. A combination of elm, maple, lilac, oak, honey locust and flowering crab trees are among the species planted.

Receiving trees this year were Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Brown County, De Pere, Green Bay, Hobart, Howard, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Oneida, Pulaski, Scott, Suamico and Wrightstown.

The program receives administrative support from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Wisconsin Public Service.

First Downs for Trees complements the team's recycling and landfill diversion programs at Lambeau Field by targeting the carbon emitted by the Packers' air charters to road games, which is approximately 450 tons in a year.

Since 2011, 7,544 trees have been planted through the program, providing total lifetime benefits of approximately $35 million through stormwater runoff reduction, CO2 reduction, energy savings, air quality improvement and property value increase. Over their lifetime, the tree benefits exceed the costs of planting and care, representing a 300 percent return on investment. Tree benefits increase over time, highlighting the importance of not only planting trees, but of providing ongoing maintenance and protection.