The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is asking Marylanders to support the Maryland Park Service (MPS) by planting virtual trees. Maryland will be competing with all 50 states this summer through Odwalla’s plant a tree program, a partnership between Odwalla, MPS and other states designed to build stewardship, raise awareness and earn money for important reforestation and planting initiatives. 

“This is a great opportunity for our State to earn money and raise awareness about the importance of trees,” said MPS Superintendent Nita Settina. “Planting a tree takes little effort, but has a big impact on our natural world. Trees clean the air, filter polluted rain water and raise property values.” 

This year, Odwalla expanded the program to all 50 states, while last year only 11 states participated. 

Marylanders can vote by planting a free virtual tree at www.odwalla.com/plantatree. Odwalla will donate one dollar to MPS for each virtual tree that Maryland receives. The website portion of the Odwalla Plant a Tree program runs from May 25, 2010 through August 15, 2010. Fans of Odwalla on Facebook can also create their own virtual microforest by encouraging others to donate trees via the Plant a Tree program. 

To go beyond the virtual world, Maryland offers several incentives to plant real trees through the Marylanders Plant Trees Program. Launched in April 2009 in cooperation with participating nurseries, Marylanders Plant Trees continues to offer $25 coupons toward the purchase of native trees costing $50 or more, redeemable at nearly 70 nurseries across the State. Governor O’Malley and DNR encourage Marylanders to register every tree they plant. Those who plant trees will not only be eligible for prizes, but they will be able to see the environmental benefits of their trees through interactive maps and charts. For more information about the program, go to www.trees.maryland.gov. 

To learn more about Maryland’s state parks visit http://www.americasstateparks.com./state_md.html.  

For more information on Odwalla products and the Plant a Tree program visit www.odwalla.com.