Albemarle-based Gladstone Media has purchased 12,000 tree seedlings that will be planted in and around Albemarle County on private lands. One-thousand-five-hundred of these tree seedlings will be planted by the Nelson County Future Farmers of America (FFA) as part of their annual forestry project. In addition, Gladstone Media has donated $1,000 to The Nature Conservancy to help offset the tree planting costs associated with the Meadow Creek stream improvement project.
Since first partnering with the Virginia Department of Forestry in 2001, Gladstone has donated more than 75,000 trees that help clean the air, protect our waterways and enhance the quality of life across the state.
VDOF Senior Area Forester David Powell said, “Gladstone has a strong track record of helping the local community improve the natural environment through generous donations of tree seedlings. The company donates enough tree seedlings to offset its paper use annually. The Virginia Department of Forestry facilitates matching the donated seedlings with local planting projects each spring. Not only does Gladstone provide trees to school groups, it has also generously donated trees to reforestation projects in the area. This year, I am especially excited that the company is providing trees to Nelson County High School’s FFA annual spring planting project. This project is a hands-on experience in which FFA members spend the day with forest professionals learning about careers in natural resources management and complete a reforestation project on a local landowner’s property.”
Gladstone President and CEO Leonard Phillips said, "We benefit so much by living and working in Central Virginia. It’s a pleasure to support these improvements to our environment."
Del. R. Steven Landes said, "Let me congratulate the Department of Forestry and Gladstone Media for their partnership. The thousands of pine seedlings will help provide a better environment for Albemarle County and its citizens. This is a wonderful example of both the public and private sectors working together to improve our environment. Let me also thank the Nelson County Future Farmers of America for their efforts to assist with planting of these seedlings as part of their annual forestry project."
Sen. R. Creigh Deeds said, “I applaud the stewardship and community spirit of Gladstone Media. The partnership will pay dividends for Albemarle County and will provide meaningful experience to the Nelson County FFA.”
