OREANDA-NEWS. FedEx Corp. and the Arbor Day Foundation announced today the launch of the Community Tree Recovery program, which will connect disaster-stricken communities with the resources needed for sustainable recovery and community healing.

Designed to be the national resource for communities to turn to as they seek to restore their trees in the aftermath of natural disaster, the Community Tree Recovery program provides the structure and capacity to address multiple disasters annually, distributing seedling trees to afflicted communities nationwide.  During the last few months, the program has already provided trees for towns in New Jersey still reeling from the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy and neighborhoods in Colorado rebuilding from the devastating 2012 wildfires. Through this Arbor Day Foundation program, FedEx - as national sponsor -- will enhance sustainable recovery efforts for these communities in the months and years to come.

"Much of a disaster-stricken community's ability to fully recover - emotionally, socially, physically and environmentally - depends on restoring lost trees," said Dan Lambe, vice president of programs at the Arbor Day Foundation.  "While immediate relief efforts following a natural disaster should and do begin with human health and wellbeing, this program collaboration with FedEx addresses an essential step in the recovery phase - restoring lost trees."

FedEx support for the Arbor Day Foundation, which includes a million-dollar, multi-year sponsorship, follows a long tradition of FedEx connecting communities with the resources needed to address disaster in all phases: readiness, relief and recovery.  Through the collaboration with the Arbor Day Foundation, FedEx will provide leadership and resources to help disaster-stricken communities build a critical foundation to long-term, sustainable recovery.

"At FedEx, we believe strengthening community access and global connectivity as part of long-term recovery helps bring about greater prosperity and opportunity for generations to come," said Mitch Jackson, vice president of Environmental Affairs and Sustainability for FedEx.  This program ensures that we address the long-term ecological health of the community, which is a critical component to sustainable recovery and access."