South Burlington, Vt. – Ahead of Saturday’s Earth Day celebrations around the state, Vermont Gas announced its support of the Intervale Center’s efforts to plant trees throughout Vermont this spring. With support from Vermont Gas and other partners, the Intervale Conservation Nursery, a program of the Intervale Center, will plant 28,000 native trees and shrubs this year as part of conservation projects aimed at improving water quality statewide. Vermont Gas, as part of its CARE initiative, will also join the Nursery and Friends of the Winooski River in May to help plant 200 of these trees in Williston as part of its commitment to conservation and education.
“Earth Day is the perfect time to make positive changes for our future, and we are so excited to be able to partner with an organization who shares our commitment to reducing the carbon footprint in our community, our state and our world,” said Don Rendall, CEO of Vermont Gas. “Our work with the Intervale Center will not only help restore the landscape, our partnership will also help educate the community about the importance of conservation and environmental stewardship.”
This is the second year Vermont Gas has teamed up with Intervale Center. In 2016, in celebration of Earth Day, Vermont Gas supported the Center’s efforts to plant 15,000 trees, many in the Winooski River watershed where trees reduce erosion and runoff into Lake Champlain.
“Partnership and collaboration is essential to our work strengthening Vermont’s farm and food economy,” said Travis Marcotte, Executive Director of the Intervale Center. “We enjoy collaborating with businesses like Vermont Gas to positively impact our land and water resources!”
Trees are also an important part of our efforts to address climate change here in Vermont. Since 1990, land use, land-use change, and forestry activities have resulted in more removal of CO2 from the atmosphere than emissions. That means in Vermont, we absorb more carbon than we emit. In many areas of the world, the opposite is true: In countries where large areas of forest land are cleared, often for agricultural purposes or for development, this change in land use can be a net source of greenhouse gas emissions.
“Our customers also have the ability to reduce their carbon footprint even further by participating in our award-winning efficiency programs,” Rendall said. “These programs produce results – on average, 1,500 customers eliminate almost 4,500 tons of carbon dioxide each year, just by reducing their energy usage. That’s enough energy to heat over 400 homes for one year.”
For more information on Vermont Gas’ efficiency program, visit www.VermontGas.com.
To learn more about the Intervale Center’s programs, visit www.Intervale.org.
About VGS
VGS is a leader in energy efficiency and innovation, offering a clean, safe, affordable choice for over 54,000 homes, businesses, and institutions in Franklin, Chittenden and Addison counties. The company plays an important role in Vermont’s clean energy future by displacing higher-emitting fuels, offering renewable natural gas service, and delivering award-winning energy efficiency programs. VGS is leading the country in the development of local renewable energy generation and has targeted a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and becoming Net Zero by 2050. For more information about Vermont Gas visit www.vgsvt.com
Media Contact
Dylan Giambatista
(802) 391-6475
dgiambatista@vermontgas.com