As part of our continuing commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), CGI is partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 7,000 trees. Building upon a suggestion from CGI Director Theresa White, we are making this donation to celebrate CGI’s commitment to becoming carbon neutral by 2030.

 “The Arbor Day Foundation does amazing work focused on reforestation as well as community tree planting to improve the quality of air and water, provide habitats for wildlife, and beautify our towns and cities,” White said. “I hope that this CGI CSR initiative sets the groundwork for ongoing corporate partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation, including future member engagement opportunities to plant trees in the communities where we live and work.”

Econfina Water Management Area - Florida Map
The Econfina Creek Water Management Area
spans portions of Florida’s Washington and Bay counties.
(Florida map by United States Census Bureau.)

The trees, a mix of longleaf and slash pines, will be planted in the Econfina Creek Water Management Area, which spans portions of Washington and Bay counties in the Florida panhandle. Like many parts of the Gulf Coast, the region was devastated by Hurricane Michael, a Category 4 storm, in 2018. Over a million acres of forests in the region faced severe or catastrophic damage as the hurricane’s powerful winds and torrential rain pummeled the watershed area. The loss of the vegetation in the area resulted in increased flooding and a significant loss of wildlife habitat. A single pine can take in up to 100 gallons of water a day in a process called evapotranspiration.

“Through its support and recognition of the importance of trees in solving global problems, our partnership with CGI exemplifies the impact that CSR goals can have on the world,” said Dan Lambe, President of the Arbor Day Foundation.

The Arbor Day Foundation restoration project will provide forage for game and promotes native groundcover, wildflowers and other plants. Deer, turkey, bobwhite quail, Sherman's fox squirrel, and gopher tortoise are among the species that will benefit. The area is also frequented by bald eagles, kestrels, hawks and osprey and aquatic species including lake and shoal bass, amphibians, clams and mussels and cave crayfish. 

You can learn more about this project through the Arbor Day Foundation’s website.