FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

San Diego Nonprofit Recognized With Arbor Day Foundations Good Steward Award
Plant With Purpose changes lives with the planting of 10 million trees internationally SAN DIEGOApril 19, 2013San Diego-based Plant With Purpose has hit a huge milestone in planting 10 million trees internationally in the effort to reverse the effect that deforestation has on the rural poor. Plant With Purposes almost 30 years of experience have proved that planting trees is one of the most effective components of sustainable development. Rural familieswho make up 70% of the worlds poorest peopledepend on the environment for survival, yet because of deforestation, their land is not producing enough. Trees restore productivity to the land, creating a sustainable means for rural farmers to provide for themselves as agricultural productivity increases. More crops mean food for their families and surplus crops to sell. As incomes start to grow, farmers are able to improve their household condition and send their children to school. As agricultural productivity increases, families enjoy better nutrition, health and economic wellbeing. Plant With Purpose works specifically in rural communities where poverty is caused by deforestation. Currently, the organization works in six developing countries: Burundi, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania, and Thailand. In particular, Plant With Purpose has seen significant results from reforestation efforts in Haiti, where 1.7 million trees have been planted since 1998. Charicia Exalus, 68, is a widow living in Fonds-Verrettes, Haitia country where only 2 percent of the original forest remains. Thirteen years ago, the land Exalus owns was a barren hillside full of rocks and without trees. She utilized the training received from Plant With Purpose and began composting, building soil protection barriers, and planting trees. Exalus says, Today, I am able to give fruits (oranges, avocados) to anyone who asks. I am a widow. I live with little. But in truth, we always have something to eat that comes from my home. Because of Plant With Purposes efforts in Haiti as well as the other countries where it works, the Arbor Day Foundation is awarding them with the Good Steward Award on April 27 in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The Good Steward Award recognizes landowners or organizations whose creativity, outlook, and accomplishments exemplify wise stewardship practices and sustainability on private land from which others can learn. Plant With Purposes director of development, Doug Satre, will be accepting the award on behalf of the thousands of farmers Plant With Purpose partners with internationally. Satre states, Were grateful to the Arbor Day Foundation for honoring Plant With Purpose with this award. It is an even greater honor to see farmers like Charicia Exalus provide for herself, her family and her community. These 10 million trees are just the start as we look forward to a future of continued growth thats bringing healing and hope to people and the environment. ###

About Plant With Purpose Plant With Purpose (plantwithpurpose.org) is an international development organization that transforms lives in rural areas where poverty is caused by deforestation. For over 25 years, Plant With Purpose has provided lasting solutions to rural poverty through a community development approach that integrates reforestation, sustainable agriculture programs, economic opportunity through microfinance, and local leadership development. Plant With Purpose currently works in more than 275 communities in six countries: Burundi, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Mexico, Tanzania, and Thailand and has planted over 10 million trees worldwide. For interviews, inquiries or additional information on Plant With Purpose, including videos or photos, please contact Becky Rosaler. Contact: Becky Rosaler Marketing Coordinator (800) 633-5319 Office (760) 650-2819 Cell becky@plantwithpurpose.org www.plantwithpurpose.org