Apache Corporation, a subsidiary of APA Corporation, announced Oct. 24 the donation of more than 245,000 trees to 40 nonprofit partner organizations through the annual Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program. Since 2005, more than five million trees have been granted to more than 900 U.S. nonprofit charitable partners and government agencies. Plantings from this year’s grants were to begin in October and continue through May 2023.
“This year, we will celebrate the delivery of the program’s 5 millionth tree, an exciting accomplishment 17 years in the making across Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, and Wyoming,” said John J. Christmann IV, Apache’s chief executive officer and president. “Our Tree Grant Program is foundational to our long-standing legacy and commitment to environmental stewardship. Through the planting and caring of the trees, our partners help beautify our community while conserving natural habitats.”
This year’s partners span numerous initiatives, including reforestation efforts with Texas Longleaf/Texas A&M Forest Service in East Texas; partnering with groups such as Keep San Angelo Beautiful to help teach students about environmental stewardship; supporting conservation projects with the Big Bend Conservation Alliance in West Texas; enhancing urban greenspaces with the Houston Botanic Garden, and preserving wildlife habitat in Louisiana through the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana.
“Texas Longleaf Team is honored to receive this critical support from Apache Corporation,” said Jenny Sanders, coordinator, Texas Longleaf. “Our team partners with private landowners to restore the Longleaf ecosystem to its historic range in East Texas and will plant Longleaf pine seedlings in the winter of 2022-2023 with Apache’s support. The Longleaf ecosystem provides wildlife habitat, while also supporting superior water retention and filtration, carbon sequestration and storage, and other environmental benefits for all Texans. We are proud to partner with Apache in this important work.”
“This time of year, our students are ecstatic about the delivery of the new young trees,” said Charlotte Anderson, executive director, Keep San Angelo Beautiful. “They track their growth, send pictures, and learn about the responsibility of being remarkable environmental stewards. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide trees through the Apache Corporation Tree Grant Program. This grant allows 26 San Angelo Independent School District buildings, six private schools, YMCA, Boys & Girls Club, Howard College, and Angelo State University to enhance their campuses with cleaner, fresher air, remarkable canopies, shade, and new habitats for our wildlife and students to explore.”
“Houston Botanic Garden is grateful for the generosity of Apache Corporation through its Tree Grant Program,” said Fran de la Mota, director of horticulture, Houston Botanic Garden. “As these donated trees mature in our garden, they will serve as a backdrop and protection for future plantings, framing vistas throughout our site, as they become a legacy of beauty and inspiration for many generations. Furthermore, there will be numerous positive impacts from these trees in the community, including a cooler environment thanks to their shade, as well as the creation of wildlife habitats, soil improvement and, stormwater runoff mitigation. This is an excellent environmental stewardship and educational opportunity both for Houston Botanic Garden and for the larger Houston community.”
Apache Corp. employees plant trees and participate in the City of Houston’s annual Arbor Day celebration.