OREANDA-NEWS. International Paper and its customers are an economic driver for the existence of millions of acres of forests around the world every day, for more than 100 years. International Paper’s employees in Russia recently symbolized the company’s commitment to sustainable forest management by planting trees to mark Reforestation Day in a joint action with the administration of Tikhvin District.

Franz Marx, President of International Paper Russia and CIS, said: "International Paper's efforts are geared towards establishing a balanced environment, with increased efficiency and sustainable resource management resulting in improved quality of life. With support from other socially responsible companies we can implement principles of sustainable development across Russia. We hope that this joint reforestation effort will raise awareness of responsible forest management, which lies at the core of IP’s development strategy in Russia and around the world."

In a frame of reforestation activities one more tree planting action was provided. On May 21 IP staff shared their expertise and best reforestation practices with representatives of Leningrad Oblast Administration and Department of Federal Forestry Agency (Rosleshoz) for North-West Federal district and also conduct a survey of reforestation works in the region.

A.I.Karpilovich, Head of Federal Forestry Department (Noth-West Federal district) commented: “International Paper – is a social-responsibility company, which thinks about its business future as well as about future of a region, where its business is developing. This event is proved the public support of such business strategy”.

International Paper plans to plant more than 2 million seedlings in Russia in 2013 – or three for everyone it harvests. In January, the company centralized its forest management operations at its plant in the Leningrad Oblast town of Tikhvin to increase efficiency and promote advanced sustainable forest management practices in Russia. International Paper employees from the mill in Svetogorsk, Leningrad Oblast, also took part in the company's efforts to mark Reforestation Day.