Small efforts make a lasting impact.
Since 2016, John Ralph has had the privilege of supporting the Arbor Day Foundation’s tree planting efforts, and in 2018, our modest contributions will benefit the reforestation of 828 tree-depleted acres in the Mississippi River Valley. Trees of Cottonwood and Oak species planted this winter will have a lasting impact on this critical North American ecosystem.
Volunteers planting Cottonwood and Oak trees in the Mississippi River Valley. Photo courtesy of the Arbor Day Foundation.
John Ralph customers can be proud to know that their orders are directly benefiting wildlife, water, and air quality in a lasting way.
Read more about this project from the Arbor Day Foundation below, or in the 2018 Project Profile PDF file found HERE.
2018 Project of Need –
Mississippi River Valley
The Mississippi River Valley is a vital habitat for migratory birds and numerous plant and animal species. 40% of North America’s waterfowl and 60% of all bird species migrate along the Mississippi River, although their population has dwindled from habitat loss.
The Mississippi River is a critical body of water in North America for commerce, climate, and energy. It is the largest river in the United States and the third-largest in the world. Its watershed is comprised of 33 states and two Canadian provinces. Each year over 505,000 tons of product valued at $80–$114 billion travels down the river.
Originally the area was covered with 25 million acres of forestland, but currently less than 5 million acres remain forested, which has dramatically affected the ecosystem. The loss of this precious resource has resulted in a decline of the wildlife as well as in the water quality that has since lead to an increasing dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. This conversion of forestland has also resulted in the loss of its natural flood control buffer.
Replanting efforts with public and private partners currently in areas throughout Mississippi and Arkansas will directly improve water quality, as trees have the ability to filter out pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorus. The forestland we’re restoring will filter the water and help to decrease pollution levels in the river as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. In fact, the U.S. Geological Survey has estimated that 100,000 acres of farmland restored to its natural bottomland forest could filter 1,550,000 pounds of nitrogen and phosphorous out of runoff and groundwater before it reaches the Mississippi River each year.
More information on the Arbor Day Foundation is available at arborday.org.