Tag: 3BL

Originally published on Built From Scratch

Sustainable forestry is an important component of our continued supply of wood products and building supplies. Our commitment to biodiversity also extends to many of the gardening products that we offer.

We promote our vision of sustainable landscapes on a smaller scale by encouraging our customers to adopt responsible gardening products and methods. Our partnerships with local growers enable us to offer healthy, environmentally beneficial plants and support businesses in the communities we serve.

SIMPLE STEPS TO ORGANIC GARDENING

BUILD A FOUNDATION
Organic soils and low-impact supplements support healthy ecosystems. Kellogg Garden Organics All-Natural Garden Soil for Flowers and Vegetables revitalizes your native soil, organically.CHOOSE YOUR PLANTS
Organic plants help promote ecological balance and biodiversity. Bonnie Plants Organics are USDA-certified organic and give you a head start on your harvest.NURTURE WITH NATURE
Natural fertilizers use organic ingredients to promote growth. True Organic Bone Meal with nitrogen and phosphorus helps produce larger organic fruits and vegetables.SELECT SUSTAINABLE MAINTENANCE
Insecticides and weed retardants for organic gardening keep garden spaces green. Garden Safe Houseplant/Garden contains botanical insecticides that defend against pests, indoors and outdoors.

Growing Organic
We offer more than 30+ varieties of organic, non-GMO vegetable and herb plants grown according to methods approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program. Only products that have been certified as meeting the USDA’s organic production and handling standards may carry the USDA Organic seal.

Native Plants
Our growers work closely with U.S. states’ departments of agriculture to identify invasive plants that may threaten local native plants.

Supporting Local Growers
We are proud to partner with more than 135 plant growers who balance the impact of their production with local environmental issues and growing conditions in their regions.

The Home Depot partners with our growers and suppliers in advance of each growing season to offer trees, blooms and edible plants that support local environments and pollinators. Our gardening product offerings are informed by our understanding that backyards, balconies and patios are well-being retreats for our customers and mini ecosystems that have an impact on their surroundings.

We are committed to its three environmental, social and governance (ESG) pillars – focusing on our people, operating sustainably and strengthening our communities. Learn more about product circularity in the latest ESG Report.

PITTSBURGH, March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Wesco International, (NYSE:WCC), a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services, and supply chain solutions, is pleased to announce the company’s joint sponsorship with DTE Energy (NYSE: DTE) for the Tom Fox Family JA BizTown® program in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This program for fifth and sixth graders begins with 12 in-classroom learning sessions that teach the basic principles of economics and the importance of economic exchange, revenue, how to manage money, fundraising, marketing, pricing, budgeting, loans, government structure, voting and various roles within a community.

This mini business town features 13 real local businesses represented by small storefronts. By connecting local businesses and school communities, it emphasizes the importance of education and the interconnectedness between those that live and work in these local communities.

“This partnership with Wesco supports an innovative educational space to help young people learn the skills necessary to steer our communities toward prosperity and growth,” said Jaspreet Singh, Vice President of Corporate Services, DTE. “We’re pleased to make this investment in their future and happy that it brings us closer to our valued customers in West Michigan.”

Wesco’s storefront includes a working stockroom with areas for in-bound receiving, outbound shipping, an EV delivery truck, EV charging station, workstations and display areas for product placement and sales. As Wesco showcases its organization to the students attending, the company also gives the students an opportunity to gain a basic understanding of the importance of supply chain and how goods and services get from one place to another.

This cutting-edge educational experience empowers future generations and gives them first-hand lessons in team building, collaboration, responsibility, decision-making and leadership.

James Cameron, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Utility and Broadband Solutions at Wesco, said “Supporting our customers in the communities we work and live is part of our foundational values. We are proud to partner with DTE to foster new opportunities for students to learn about their energy provider and how supply chain partners enable all parts of everyday life.”

With over 20,000 students and 1,000 educators from schools across West Michigan, Southwest Michigan, Mid-Michigan and Northern Michigan visiting the center, Wesco can help raise awareness about a broad range of careers in supply chain management and operations.

Employees from both Wesco and DTE will be able to volunteer in their specially designed storefront at JA BizTown and interact with the students, as well as other visitors and business and community leaders.

For more information about Wesco: https://www.wesco.com/

About Wesco

Wesco International (NYSE: WCC) builds, connects, powers and protects the world. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Wesco is a FORTUNE 500® company with more than $22 billion in annual sales and a leading provider of business-to-business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions. Wesco offers a best-in-class product and services portfolio of Electrical and Electronic Solutions, Communications and Security Solutions, and Utility and Broadband Solutions. The Company employs approximately 20,000 people, partners with the industry’s premier suppliers, and serves thousands of customers around the world. With millions of products, end-to-end supply chain services, and leading digital capabilities, Wesco provides innovative solutions to meet customer needs across commercial and industrial businesses, contractors, government agencies, educational institutions, telecommunications providers, and utilities. Wesco operates nearly 800 branches, warehouses and sales offices in more than 50 countries, providing a local presence for customers and a global network to serve multi-location businesses and global corporations.

About DTE Energy

DTE Energy (NYSE:DTE) is a Detroit-based diversified energy company involved in the development and management of energy-related businesses and services nationwide. Its operating units include an electric company serving 2.3 million customers in Southeast Michigan and a natural gas company serving 1.3 million customers across Michigan. The DTE portfolio also includes energy businesses focused on custom energy solutions, renewable energy generation, and energy marketing and trading. DTE has continued to accelerate its carbon reduction goals to meet aggressive targets and is committed to serving with its energy through volunteerism, education and employment initiatives, philanthropy, emission reductions and economic progress. Information about DTE is available  at  dteenergy.com,  empoweringmichigan.com,  twitter.com/dte_energy and https://www.facebook.com/dteenergy/. 

Originally published by Pepco

WASHINGTON, March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Pepco purchased $387 million in goods and services from diversity-certified suppliers in 2023, accounting for 44 percent of the company’s total purchases for the year. This expenditure, a $35 million increase from 2022, is the most spent with diverse suppliers in the company’s nearly 130-year history and reflects Pepco’s ongoing efforts to support local and diverse communities.

“Supplier diversity is just one of the ways we support our customers and local communities with more than energy,” said Rodney Oddoye, senior vice president of Government, Regulatory and External Affairs at Pepco Holdings. “Our continued increase in investments with these valuable partners reinforces our commitment to the local communities that we proudly serve and supports local business growth, helping our communities thrive.”

In line with Pepco’s dedication to enhancing procurement efforts with local diversity-certified suppliers, the Empowerment Academy, formerly known as Target 25, offers prospective suppliers a chance to gain insights into Pepco’s procurement procedures and those of its parent company, Exelon. This initiative contributes to the growth and development of each vendor’s relationship with the energy company. Since the establishment of the Empowerment Academy, Pepco has graduated 17 diversity-certified suppliers and is eager to broaden this opportunity to additional local, diverse suppliers.

Pepco, Exelon and the Exelon Foundation-funded Community Impact Capital Fund (CICF; formerly known as the Racial Equity Capital Fund) also invested nearly $3 million in four local businesses working in the energy, IT, workforce development and real estate fields. The fund, launched in partnership with RockCreek – one of the world’s largest diverse-owned global investment firms, expands capital to businesses that have traditionally been challenged in accessing and securing funding so they can create more jobs, grow their companies and reinvest in their neighborhoods and communities.. Learn more about the funded companies on The Source.

Companies interested in working with Pepco and other Exelon companies can register and provide pertinent information, including their diversity status, at exeloncorp.com/Suppliers.

To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source, our online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting pepco.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/PepcoConnect and on X, formerly known as Twitter, at twitter.com/PepcoConnect. Pepco’s mobile app is available at pepco.com/MobileApp.

CLEVELAND, March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Today, KeyBank announced that it has funded more than $10 million in loans through its Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan[i] program. Launched on March 1, 2023, the program provides affordable terms for borrowers with qualifying properties to refinance their primary residence to a lower interest rate, consolidate debt, finance home improvements, or tap into their equity when needed. It features a fixed rate, with no origination fee, and a first or second lien option for loans up to $100,000.

Across KeyBank’s footprint, the Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan program has helped more than 200 clients secure loans for their primary home in designated communities.

“This milestone involving the Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan Program reflects KeyBank’s steadfast and holistic commitment to helping clients at every stage of homebuying and homeownership,” said Dale Baker, president of Home Lending at KeyBank. “We are excited to continue to work to reduce the barriers of homeownership through responsible lending products and services, educational support, and direct investment into the diverse communities we serve.”

Key Opportunities is one of three special purpose credit programs[ii] (SPCPs) from KeyBank. Two others, the KeyBank Home Buyer Credit[iii] and KeyBank Neighbors First Credit[iv], provide up to $5,000[v] in credits toward closing costs and other pre-paid fees that may come with financing a new home to homebuyers for the purchase of eligible properties in eligible communities. Since its launch in September 2022, KeyBank has funded more than $1.6 million in KeyBank Home Buyer Credits, helping 376 clients achieve their dream of homeownership in areas where the program is available. The Neighbors First Credit launched in July 2023. Through that program, Key has funded more than $555,000 in credits, helping 111 clients.

KeyBank’s 2024 Financial Mobility Survey found increasingly rising costs have made many Americans come to the realization that owning a home may not be feasible. Of those people (20%) who are not currently in the market to purchase a home and haven’t purchased one in the past year, 69% believe the dream of owning a home is not very attainable.

KeyBank is working to make home ownership more attainable through its Special Purpose Credit Programs, a continued commitment to helping all potential homebuyers make their dream of owning a home a reality. Starting in 2022, KeyBank also committed to investing more than $25 million in grants, fee waivers, and marketing over five years to increase mortgage lending in majority-minority neighborhoods, as well as more than $1 million to homebuyer education and other community support.

“Sustainable homeownership is a wealth building tool that can help families and neighborhoods grow and thrive,” said Rachael Sampson, head of community banking for KeyBank’s consumer bank. “While our work is not done, this $10 million milestone with our Key Opportunities Home Equity Loan program reflects the significant progress we’ve made and our dedication to reaching and helping clients across our communities.”

Learn more about KeyBank’s home lending opportunities and programs, determine whether a property qualifies for Special Purpose Credit Programs, or get started on the journey to homeownership by visiting key.com/communitylending. For details on the current state of local markets and to answer any questions you may have, including whether a property qualifies for Key’s Special Purpose Credit Programs, KeyBank Mortgage Loan Officers are available to help.

ABOUT KEYBANK 
KeyBank’s roots trace back nearly 200 years to Albany, New York. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, KeyCorp is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $188 billion at December 31, 2023.

Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank is Member FDIC.

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NMLS #399797. Mortgage and Home Equity Lending products offered by KeyBank are not FDIC insured or guaranteed. KeyBank extends credit secured by residential real estate without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, handicap, or familial status. All credit products are subject to collateral and/or credit approval, terms, conditions, availability and are subject to change.

CMFA# 240322-2513530

[i] Loan features reduced interest rate and no origination fees. Available on existing primary residence and loans up to $100,000. First or second lien only. Loan must close in a branch. Property must be located in an eligible community in KeyBank’s retail footprint. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details. 

To apply for a home equity loan, you must:

Be 18 years of age or older 
Live within the following states: AK, CO, CT, ID, IN, MA, ME, MI, NY, OH, OR, PA, UT, VT, or WA 
Agree to provide additional personal and business information, if requested, such as tax returns and financial statements 
Certify that all information submitted in the application is true and correct 
Authorize the bank and or a credit bureau to investigate the information on the application
[ii] Special Purpose Credit Programs (“SPCPs”) are, generally, programs that are established to meet special social needs or the needs of economically disadvantaged persons by extending credit to persons who would probably be denied credit or would receive it on less favorable terms, under certain conditions. See 15 U.S.C. § 1691(c)(1)-(3); 12 C.F.R. § 1002.8(a). 
[iii] Available on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community as determined by KeyBank. Eligible Communities are subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details. 
[iv] Available on primary residence first lien purchases only. Property must be located in an eligible community in KeyBank’s retail footprint or Florida. Eligible communities are determined by KeyBank and subject to change without notice. Additional terms or restrictions may apply. Ask us for details. 
[v] Credits up to $5,000 to be used towards closing costs and prepaid fees.

CBRE

/3BL/ – Global real estate advisor, CBRE, has announced Alzheimer’s Society – the UK’s leading dementia charity – as its new UK charity partner.

In the UK, roughly 900,000 people live with dementia and this number is expected to rise to 1.6 million people by 2040. It is now the leading cause of death in the UK, overtaking heart disease.

Throughout the two-year partnership, CBRE will aim to raise £600,000 through various fundraising initiatives, including its flagship Great Property Bike Ride event, to provide crucial support for people living with dementia. The funds generated will directly support the charity’s pioneering Citizens Advice Benefits Service, its Diversity and Inclusion fund, helping underserved communities access dementia support, increasing financial support, accessible information, and companion calls – all of which are essential tools to reduce the feeling of isolation experienced by those affected by this disease and help them become more resilient to financial hardship.

We are thrilled to announce Alzheimer’s Society as our chosen charity partner for the next two years, as voted for by our employees.

Building on our history of successful charity partnerships, we’re committed to making a lasting impact on the lives of individuals affected by dementia and we hope to make a real difference through a whole host of fundraising initiatives to support such a deserving charity. We are looking forward to getting started!

Ciaran Bird, Divisional President, Advisory Services, CEO UK & Ireland

Kate Lee, Alzheimer’s Society CEO added: “One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia and it’s currently the UK’s biggest killer. Alzheimer’s Society is committed to ending the devastation caused by dementia, providing help and hope for everyone affected.

Read more about this partnership here

EMERYVILLE, Calif., March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – SCS Standards is pleased to announce that a newly developed certification standard for Water Stewardship and Resiliency is now available for public review.

The Certification Standard for Water Stewardship and Resiliency (SCS-116) has been developed to recognize organizations that responsibly manage water resources. It aims to:

Stimulate nature-based and innovative technology solutions towards increasing water resiliency and resource management,Encourage organizations to engage with their surrounding communities, andPromote transparency by communicating an organization’s impact on the environment and progress over time.

SCS-116 has been designed to encourage organizations to strive for the highest level of water stewardship and resiliency. The Standard also incentivizes companies to take their commitment even further, allowing them to achieve special recognition under cutting-edge “Trailblazer” requirements in any of the following categories:

Nature-Based SolutionsInnovative TechnologiesNatural Habitat and Biodiversity ImpactsNet-Zero WaterNet-Positive WaterWater CircularityWater QualityCommunity Development

The public is welcome to comment on the new standard until April 26, 2024. To submit comments, please reach out to standards@scsstandards.org. or please visit https://www.scsstandards.org/standards/certification-standard-water-stewardship.

About SCS Standards

SCS Standards is a non-profit organization committed to the development of standards that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Standards are developed in alignment with best practices and guidelines provided by internationally recognized bodies to ensure a robust, transparent and collaborative approach. SCS Standards is an affiliate of Scientific Certification Systems, Inc., and is its official affiliate standards development body.

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Authored by Arun Parekkat

Use of artificial intelligence (AI), including applications such as machine learning (ML), where AI software is trained to form its own decision-making criteria based on previous examples of a particular task in life sciences has the potential to transform how we better human health and conduct medical research. According to the Artificial Intelligence Report 2023 prepared by Stanford University in 2022, medical and healthcare was the AI focus area with the most investment with $6.1 billion.

To better understand the potential for how AI can revolutionize the life sciences industry, let’s first explore the concept of AI.

What is AI? A definitional treatment 

AI is a term that most of us are now familiar with, but its interpretation is extremely varied. At a high level, the term “artificial intelligence” encompasses the use of technology to perform tasks typically associated only with human beings, such as learning and decision making. This can be seen anywhere from “strong AI” or Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), which is where a machine could have intelligence equivalent to a human, to “weak AI,” the version we are most familiar with, from voice assistants and driverless cars, where software is trained to perform focused and specific tasks.

According to the AI Act, EU regulatory framework for AI – 2021, AI is defined as “software that is developed with techniques and approaches that can generate outputs such as content, predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing the environments they interact with.” Annex I of the act outlines approaches such as ML, explicit logic-based approaches as well as more general statistical techniques.

The current U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) definition of AI describes it as the “science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer programs.” Wherein, AI can use different techniques, including models based on statistical analysis of data, expert systems that primarily rely on if-then statements, and ML. The FDA also states that ML is a subset technique of AI that can be used to design and train software algorithms to learn from and act on data. Software developers can use ML to create an algorithm that is ‘locked’ so that its function does not change, or ‘adaptive’ so its behavior can change over time based on new data.

What does AI mean in medical technology (medtech) and in pharmaceutical terms? 

Given the significant expenditure associated with drug development and delivery for burgeoning global populations, it is unsurprising that AI is sought as a tool to increase productivity and efficiency in healthcare. We must go back to 1995 to find the first ML technology approved by the FDA. Since then, more than 500 medical devices have gained 510k status aiding image analysis and diagnosis of diseases such as cancer with AI led software devices. These devices seek to optimize delivery of surgery and post-operative care for orthopedic patients receiving an implant such as an artificial hip.

Within pharmaceutical research and development, there are multiple instances where AI is being used across the discovery and development pipeline. The first drugs to have been developed “in silico,” or by computer, are now entering human clinical trials. In its broadest sense, AI is being used to improve the identification of candidate molecules and aiding in the recruitment and retention of patients for Phase I to III clinical trials. For marketed drugs, AI technology such as Large Language Model chatbots are being used as symptom assessment tools to improve awareness of rare diseases amongst the public and primary care providers.

Nature of managing the risk of AI – an assessment 

While the promises of AI in life sciences are undeniable, potential issues and ethical considerations warrant much attention. Data privacy and security is a concern as AI relies on vast amounts of sensitive patient data. Thus, ensuring the confidentiality and protection of this information is paramount. The potential for data breaches or unauthorized access poses significant risks to patient privacy and could erode public trust in AI-driven healthcare solutions.

Another ethical challenge pertains to the “black box” nature of some AI algorithms, especially given the importance in the life sciences industry to be able to consistently explain the clinical benefit and value of a product with clear understandable evidence. Complex ML models may arrive at conclusions without providing transparent explanations for their decisions. In the medical world, where accountability and transparency are crucial, potential biases and lack of interpretability could pose ethical problems. Clinicians and regulators need to understand how AI arrives at its conclusions to ensure patient safety and maintain high ethical standards.

Solutions such as data de-identification have been proposed to address some data privacy issues that may come from AI in healthcare and life sciences. Proposals for addressing data privacy concerns in AI for healthcare and life sciences include de-identification of data, which involves controlling data access based on patient consent and tracking usage purposes over time. Additionally, strategies such as encryption, differential privacy (sharing group attributes without revealing individual ones), federated learning (avoiding centralized data aggregation), and data minimization (limiting personal data based on application scope) may also address the concern of data privacy.

A key development has been European Union’s AI Act. A first of its kind regulatory framework for AI in which AI systems are analyzed and classified according to the risk they pose to users. It creates a risk pyramid with an outright ban for certain AI applications, stringent requirements for AI systems classified as high risk, and a more limited set of (transparency) requirements for AI applications with a lower risk. The stated goal of the EU’s AI act is “a balanced and proportionate approach limited to the minimum necessary requirements to address the risks linked to AI without unduly constraining technological development.”

Risk assessments in AI-enabled healthcare products 

While there is considerable interest from clinicians and regulators in being able to understand to what degree AI is being utilized within a product, particularly where it concerns the long-term efficacy and accuracy of ‘adaptive’ technologies, fundamental product development and engineering principles apply equally to devices which use ‘true’ AI as those which do not.

Assessing whether a product is using AI as per the various regulations under consideration and in place across the globe, and subsequently the measures needed to robustly assess it for its readiness to meet market approval requirements, will need to include the underlying software prediction models, the data used to train and validate it as well as the way it is delivered to relevant end users (whether HCPs or individual patients) within a clearly described patient journey. Recent FDA guidance has provided greater clarity around how manufacturers can safely build adaptive products which have the capacity to learn and improve as they are exposed to increasing volumes of data once placed on the market.

Developers can take comfort in the fact that clear intended use definitions, use of robust evidence-based methodologies, and total product lifecycle approaches, including Agile, that are applied during development and post-launch will remain the cornerstones of the regulatory standard.

The task of identifying and assessing risks that could arise specifically from AI technologies is not trivial and the following paper will explore this domain in more detail, with examples that can help manufacturers ensure safety, efficacy as well benefits unique to this technology such as personalization, autonomy and mitigations for bias including healthcare inequalities.

For more insights, visit Baker Tilly’s healthcare & life sciences page.

As part of an ongoing commitment to sustainable water management across its operations, Monster has published its comprehensive Water Stewardship policy.  Monster aims to monitor and manage its use of water in order to:

Use water efficiently;Reduce the amount of water used (per liter of production) in our beverage manufacturing plants; andEnsure quality and continuity of water supply for our products.

Why Water Stewardship Matters

Water is crucial for people and the planet, as well as our supply chain and direct operations. Why?

Water is the primary ingredient in all of our beverages.Water is also a key input into all the ingredients and materials used to produce beverages.Historic patterns of precipitation and the availability and quality of water in many key areas around the globe are changing.The costs of acquiring water, treating it for production and wastewater treatment are rising.Humans have a right to clean water.

Water Stewardship Strategies

Our water-related goals and our key strategies to meet them include:

Goal Setting: The vast majority of Monster’s production is outsourced to 3rd party bottlers and copackers. Consistent with our goals, we encourage our bottlers and co-packers to take steps to reduce the amount of water used in the manufacture of our products. Our Monster-owned production facilities will set site-specific targets to improve water efficiency. For our Monster-owned beverage manufacturing plants, including those located in watersheds with high water stress, our goal is to reduce the amount of water used (per liter of production). Our newly acquired or established production facilities will measure water use and set a three-year water use ratio efficiency goal within the first 12 months of full commercial operation.
 Measurement and Reporting: – We will continue to analyze our annual water usage in our Monster-owned production facilities, disclosing to CDP’s Water Security questionnaire and conducting water risk assessments.
   – Water consumption and wastewater measurements will also be reported in EcoBeastTM, our bespoke data collection tool which allows us to measure and manage sustainability data for our own operations and across our supply chain (i.e., from our suppliers, bottlers and co-packers).
   – Third party audits may verify certain reported measurements.
   – In addition, key suppliers, co-packers and bottling partners will be encouraged to participate in CDP reporting.
 Assessment: Through climate scenario analysis and water risk assessment tools, we will continue to assess water risk and scarcity, including for key agricultural commodities with our suppliers.
 Progress: We will publicly share progress towards our water targets in our annual sustainability reports and disclose water efficiency indicators.
 Research: Water risks specific to geographic locations will be researched through technology, engagement with suppliers/bottlers/co-packers/local government, or site visits.
 Education: Training opportunities will be shared with employees on the benefits of water stewardship for business and the community.
 Collaboration: Engagement with suppliers, co-packers and bottlers will include strategizing for water efficiency solutions, which may include fixing leaks, making capital improvements, optimizing water usage, submetering, and capturing Reverse Osmosis (RO) water to reuse.
 Community: We will seek opportunities to support communities in need of clean water.
Partnerships: We will attempt to enhance pre-existing relationships with local water leaders.
 Supplier Contracts: Water use reduction guidance and provisions will be built into future contracts with suppliers, if feasible.

Download Water Stewardship Policy

LINCOLN, Neb., March 25, 2024 /3BL/ – Newly released annual data from the Arbor Day Foundation shows the nonprofit helped to plant and distribute more than 1.7 million trees in cities, towns and communities worldwide in 2023. If planted 10 feet apart, 1.7 million trees could create a tree line from Los Angeles to New York City.

“Urban trees foster strength and vitality in communities big and small, bringing countless benefits to our lives every day,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “The demand the Arbor Day Foundation saw for urban trees in 2023 was a clear affirmation of both the immense value in tree planting and the widespread need to expand equitable access to green space in cities and communities.”

Trees planted in cities and neighborhoods have the power to reduce life-threatening heat by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. When planted in the right place, community trees can also help reduce flooding, limit air pollution and help homeowners save money on energy costs.

The 1.7 million trees were planted and distributed across 458 urban and community forestry projects that reached all 50 states and another 28 countries. The record-setting achievement was accomplished in collaboration with nearly 160 local planting partners. The Arbor Day Foundation leverages socioeconomic data and GIS mapping to help identify areas most in need of trees in order to help guide its planting efforts.

The Arbor Day Foundation will continue to expand its reach in urban and community forestry by leveraging a $50 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The award was part of the Inflation Reduction Act’s $1.5 billion investment in tree planting and maintenance in disadvantaged communities across the country.

About the Arbor Day Foundation

Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. Together with our partners, we have helped plant more than 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. Through our members, partners and programs, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people across the globe to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

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Diana Visintini and her son, Nano, have been working as marine tour guides for over two decades.

Their business is based in Puerto Madryn, a city located on the northeast coast of Patagonia in Argentina, an area known for its marine fauna, such as whales, sea lions, dolphins and other species.

“I’ve been in Patagonia for more than 20 years. In the year 2000, with experience in nautical tourist guides, I began to carry out this venture. Because of my love and passion for the sea and nature, I started this activity. I am a first-class captain, whaling guide, tour guide and English teacher, which links me to tourism and visitors very easily,” said Diana.

Diana is linked not only to the sea, but to the field as well thanks to her farm located in Colón, Buenos Aires. “I periodically travel to visit the countryside, and for a long time I have been looking forward to buying a tractor, and what better way to do it than in my city, where I have my roots, and with the friends of Agricola Noroeste,” Diana explained, adding: “I inquired about Jerome Case and the history of Case IH, and I said ‘this has to be good’.

To carry out her noble work, Diana acquired a Farmall 80JXM from Case IH (a brand of CNH) through Agrícola Noroeste, official dealer of the brand, who highlighted the importance of making the activity visible: “from our place, it is essential to contribute to the productive sector of the country from various places, being present not only in the field, but also in unconventional activities for the machinery we sell,” said Luciano Laferrara, head of Marketing and Communication at the dealership.

The tractor actively participates by moving the semi-rigid boat of more than eight meters long with ecological engines to the Patagonian coast. “With so many years of experience in my business, I didn’t want to retire from the activity without first having an 80JXM tractor,” said captain Diana.

Diana also highlights environmental care as an essential reason for choosing the equipment: “Old tractors lose a lot of oil and pollute, which is why we switched to Farmall. Aesthetics are also important, since people come from all over the world to visit us, passionate about Patagonia that has a sea that is an icon worldwide. The tractor is left on the beach and is the envy of all my colleagues.”

“Participating together with our renowned tractor in an atypical activity for the products we sell is to realize the versatility and adaptability that we manage with our machines, which are essential for our customers when opting for equipment,” explained Rodrigo Lanciotti, Marketing Manager of Case IH.

Supporting inspiring individuals like Diana through innovative and sustainable technology are at the core of CNH’s commitment to making a greener future for farmers – and captains – around the globe.