Donation Goes to Planting Trees; Chicago Firm Looks to Lessen Carbon Footprint
By LEE BERGQUIST
A Chicago manufacturer is donating $261,500 to the State of Wisconsin to plant 2 million trees, building on donations that began in 1990 that aim to add nearly 5 million trees in Wisconsin by 2018.
The donation by A. Finkl & Sons Co. was spurred by the company’s concern about its carbon footprint and how it might lessen the effects of carbon dioxide released in its manufacturing process.
The company began donating seedlings of jack and red pine in the Northern Highland American Legion State Forest in Wisconsin, some of which reach 30 feet, according to the Department of Natural Resources.
All told, Finkl will donate $376,500 to the DNR, which will allow the agency to plant seedlings from a state nursery.
Tree plantings financed by the company also populate the Black River, Brule River, Flambeau River, Governor Knowles and the Kettle Moraine state forests.
“I think this demonstrates the commitment of a company that began decades ago — before all of the talk about offsets and carbon footprints,” said state Forester Paul DeLong.
In addition to a tree planting program in Chicago, Finkl has underwritten tree planting in southern Illinois in the Ferne Clyffe State Park and adjacent parks.
In prepared remarks, Finkl President and CEO Bruce Liimatainen said, “The project is a winner for each of us and, ultimately, the public, and it is our hope more communities will participate.”
The donation was approved last month by the Natural Resources Board.
At this month’s meeting, another firm, Mastercraft Industries Inc. of Rice Lake is proposing to spend $28,000 to donate hardwood trees to plant in Wisconsin to replace trees the company uses to manufacturer cabinetry.
The hardwood seedlings will be planted between 2008 and 2010.
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