ALLOUEZ, WI (WTAQ) – The Green Bay Packers, in partnership with businesses SCA and Green Bay Packaging Inc., are celebrating another successful year for the ‘First Downs for Trees’ program.
On Monday, community leaders and former Packers players helped plant a “swamp white oak tree” at Green Isle Park in Allouez.
Allouez Village President Jim Rafter says he’s proud of the village’s designation of Tree City USA.
“Some of our trees are being taken away through disease and to replant that is terribly important. So, not only can we keep our designation but really to keep Allouez the kind of community that people who live and work here want.”
477 trees will be planted in 17 Brown County communities this year, with 41 of those being placed in Allouez.
Packers Director of Public Affairs, Aaron Popkey, says they are glad to help fund more trees in local communities.
“Trees are something that sometimes have some trouble when budgets are tight. So, for us to be able to augment what the forestry departments are doing around Brown County is worthwhile for us,” said Popkey.
Since 2011, 4,263 trees have been planted through the program with a lifetime benefit of $20.6 million.
The ‘First Downs for Trees’ program started 7 years ago and is one of the Packers’ Green Team initiatives.
The program donates trees to participating Brown County communities based on the number of first downs scored by the Packers in the previous season.
