ELKHART, Ind., Nov. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- THOR Industries,
Inc. (NYSE: THO) announced a conservation effort in
partnership with the National Forest Foundation (NFF) to plant half
a million new trees in national forests by 2025.
Visited by millions each year and having experienced a double
digit increase in use during the Covid-19 pandemic, national
forests provide access to outdoor recreation activities in 44
states and Puerto Rico. THOR's
commitment of 500,000 trees over five years will support rebuilding
of public lands that help capture greenhouse gases (GHG), filter
pollutants, and release life-giving oxygen while providing a
retreat for outdoor newcomers and enthusiasts.
"Our tree planting program is critical to promoting the health
and public enjoyment of our national forest system. Reforestation
efforts have not been keeping pace with the need on the ground. The
generosity of THOR Industries will help us ensure forests remain as
forests, and we greatly value their support," said Mary Mitsos, President and CEO, National Forest
Foundation.
THOR's commitment comes at a time when more individuals and
families than ever are utilizing national forests and exploring
nature. National forests and grasslands cover an expanse of 193
million acres and are visited by over 15 million people annually,
with numbers expected to rise in the coming year.
NFF is the only nonprofit dedicated to addressing the many
challenges facing national forests and grasslands, including
wildfires, insects, disease, and funding shortfalls.
"Partnering with NFF to protect such vital national and
environmental treasures is a natural fit for THOR. For 40 years,
our global family of operating companies has helped connect
families from all walks of life to nature and each other. National
forests are a significant destination for our RV owners," said
Chris Workman, THOR Industries' Vice
President of Global Supply Management and Sustainability.
This collaboration is not a first for THOR. In 2019, the Company
began partnering with NFF to support reforestation efforts,
including plantings, recreation site improvements, and other
conservation and education efforts. This additional commitment to
plant 500,000 trees in five years follows recent news of
intensified environmental sustainability targets for the THOR
family of companies, including a 50% reduction in GHG emission by
2030, and achieving net neutral GHG emissions by 2050.
"Our family of operating companies is committed now, more than
ever, to connecting more people to nature, conserving our natural
resources and continuing to improve in measurable ways, year on
year. Partnering with NFF to plant 500,000 new trees in our
national forests is a natural progression of our sustainability
efforts," said Workman.
About THOR Industries
THOR Industries is the sole
owner of operating subsidiaries that represent the world's largest
RVs manufacturer. For more information on the Company and its
products, please visit https://www.thorindustries.com/.
About the National Forest Foundation
The
National Forest Foundation works on behalf of the American public
to inspire personal and meaningful connections to our National
Forests. By directly engaging Americans and leveraging private and
public funding, the NFF leads forest conservation efforts and
promotes responsible recreation. Each year the NFF restores fish
and wildlife habitat, facilitates common ground, plants trees in
areas affected by fires, insects, and disease, and improves
recreational opportunities. The NFF believes our National Forests
and all they offer are an American treasure and are vital to the
health of our communities. Learn more at
nationalforests.org.
View original content to download
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thor-industries-partners-with-national-forest-foundation-to-plant-500-000-trees-in-five-years-301169055.html
SOURCE THOR Industries