(UPM, Valkeakoski, 19 May, 2010 at 13:00 EET) – UPM has invited schoolchildren and other stakeholders to plant trees as part of the company’s annual tree planting day. UPM’s tree planting day, which was organised for the first time last year, takes place on May 21 in most locations. This year, the company organises tree planting day events in Finland, Russia, UK, USA and Uruguay.
At the events, stakeholders are taken to the forest, where they are guided by UPM’s forestry specialists.
”Tree planting is a concrete way of bringing issues related to forests closer to people. On the tree planting day, we want to emphasize the importance of native tree species, which many species of flora and fauna are dependent on for habitat”, says Timo Lehesvirta, Director, Sustainable Forestry, UPM.
”Tree planting concretely shows how we always have to think of actions related to forestry and forest regeneration in the long term, decades ahead. International environmental questions connected with tree planting include biodiversity, mitigating climate change and soil and flood protection,” Lehesvirta points out.
UPM is committed to carrying out its international biodiversity programme. The goal of UPM’s biodiversity programme is to secure biodiversity as a vital part of sustainable forestry, simultaneously promoting best practices in forestry. The United Nations biodiversity declaration signed by UPM is a natural part of the company’s long-lasting work in developing sustainable forestry practices. This year is the UN’s biodiversity year, and May 22 is UN’s biodiversity day.
For further information, please contact:
Timo Lehesvirta, Director, Sustainable Forestry, UPM, tel. +358 204 16 4650
UPM
UPM leads the integration of bio and forest industries into a new, sustainable and innovation-driven future. Our products are made of renewable raw materials and are recyclable. UPM consists of three Business Groups: Energy and pulp, Paper, and Engineered materials. The Group employs around 23,000 people and it has production facilities in 15 countries. In 2009, UPM's sales amounted to EUR 7.7 billion. UPM's shares are listed on the Helsinki stock exchange.
UPM – The Biofore Company – www.upm.com, www.upmbiofore.com, www.upmforestlife.com
