Trees Ontario: You can be just like the Grinch this Holiday Season....GREEN!

TORONTO, November 4, 2009 - One of the most popular Christmas Carols is Bing Crosby's "White Christmas". However, the people at Trees Ontario are hoping everyone will start dreaming of a "Green Christmas".

Today, we are facing a serious and urgent problem across the rural and urban landscape of southern Ontario concerning tree planting. We are not planting nearly enough of them each year, particularly on our rural landscape. Experts say that in order to reforest and achieve an average of 30 per cent forest cover and regain the healthy ecosystem we need to plant about a billion more trees across southern Ontario.

That's a huge number, but the good news is that it has never been easier for everyone and anyone to help. And there is no better time than the upcoming holiday season. Giving the gift of trees to people on your holiday list is unique, has impact and can also be friendly to your wallet.

Through special holiday gift giving programs, like the one being offered by Trees Ontario, you can give someone the gift of ten trees planted for only $25, 100 trees for $250 or 200 trees for $500. And, for that person you love the most why not 1,000 trees (the beginning of a forest) for only $2,500? With this gift you don't need to take anything for a walk, feed it or even lift a shovel. Trees Ontario and its partners will do all the planting for you.

Giving green is so easy. With a minimum donation of $25, Trees Ontario will send you or the person on your list a Trees Ontario card with your holiday greeting and the news that trees have been planted on their behalf. Of course you will receive the tax receipt.

For companies, giving trees is an easy way to show employees, customers and suppliers that you are serious about going green. In addition to the beautiful, personalized Trees Ontario card, companies can set up a "contribution" with purchase program that will see a donation made to Trees Ontario from each customer purchase. Companies can also adopt a hectare, acre or half-acre of land on which Trees Ontario will plant a new forest in 2010.

Although the holidays are the perfect time, you don't need to wait until December; you can give the gift of green at any time of year - birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, graduations, etc. What would the Grinch think of that?

So this holiday season, look to do something smarter and greener with your money and purchase a gift that will impress your friends or customers with your creativity and thoughtfulness; won't put a large dent in your wallet; and will have a significant and positive impact on the world around you. Anyone can help save our environment - one tree at a time.

You can learn more about giving trees at www.treesontario.ca/donate or by calling 1.877.646.1193.

Trees Ontario
Trees Ontario, working with its partners, is the largest, not-for-profit tree planting partnership in North America. It is committed to the re-greening of Ontario through a range of tree planting activities.
The goal of Trees Ontario is to restore the province's tree planting capacity, especially throughout southern Ontario on private lands, by providing funding and planning support for its tree planting partners. These include local Conservation Authorities, Ontario Stewardship Councils, municipal governments and community volunteer groups.

As a charitable organization, Trees Ontario relies on the financial support of individuals, organizations, foundation grants and government to support its tree planting programs and initiatives.
This year, with its partners, Trees Ontario planted close to 3 million trees. Its goal is to support the planting of 10 million trees per year by 2015. To participate, donate and to learn more visit the Trees Ontario website at www.treesontario.ca.

For further information: Paul Tyler, GoldFenix Communications, (905) 235-7285, pt@goldfenixcom.ca