2 Students Bike Across the Country Planting 1 Million Trees
Two college students are getting set to embark on the journey of a life time. Grant Gardner, Virginia Tech, and Matt Cortina, Rutgers University, will be riding bicycles across the country this summer and planting one million trees with schools, organizations and communities in the 56 towns in which they will be stopping.
The two founded Planting America Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization over a year ago with the goal of creating, funding and executing large environmental projects across the country. Their 4200 cross-country journey is the inaugural project of the organization, beginning in Yorktown, VA this May and ending in Florence, OR after leaving one million new trees in their trail.
Gardner and Cortina began crafting and working on the idea in 2006, founded a non-profit organization in March 2007 and received tax exempt status in June 2007. Since then, they have been featured in media from New York to Virginia including appearances on NPR and CBS.
The two have also sought out corporate sponsorships with recent success. Raleigh Bicycles is donating Planting America two 2008 Supercourse road bikes along with assorted apparel. Other sponsors include Patagonia and Adventure Cycling Association which have lent their products and name to the environmentally pioneering project.
The goal of Planting America is to promote active lifestyles, earth-friendly means of transportation and to instill a concern for the environment. Through community tree planting events at schools, camps and parks, Gardner and Cortina hope to advertise these goals with hands-on demonstrations and events. Planting America furthermore offers a series of educational videos on their website, www.plantingamerica.org, regarding the proper way to plant and maintain new trees. You can also ask an environmental expert any question or concern you may have in your lawn or garden.
The Planting America project is also planning on big screen exposure, working with two award-winning filmmakers to arrange a documentary about the trip and the overall message of environmental maintenance and social responsibility.
If you would like to support Planting America Inc., check out the website www.plantingamerica.org and learn about donation and sponsorship opportunities. You can find their trip itinerary, educational materials and contact information.
The two founded Planting America Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization over a year ago with the goal of creating, funding and executing large environmental projects across the country. Their 4200 cross-country journey is the inaugural project of the organization, beginning in Yorktown, VA this May and ending in Florence, OR after leaving one million new trees in their trail.
Gardner and Cortina began crafting and working on the idea in 2006, founded a non-profit organization in March 2007 and received tax exempt status in June 2007. Since then, they have been featured in media from New York to Virginia including appearances on NPR and CBS.
The two have also sought out corporate sponsorships with recent success. Raleigh Bicycles is donating Planting America two 2008 Supercourse road bikes along with assorted apparel. Other sponsors include Patagonia and Adventure Cycling Association which have lent their products and name to the environmentally pioneering project.
The goal of Planting America is to promote active lifestyles, earth-friendly means of transportation and to instill a concern for the environment. Through community tree planting events at schools, camps and parks, Gardner and Cortina hope to advertise these goals with hands-on demonstrations and events. Planting America furthermore offers a series of educational videos on their website, www.plantingamerica.org, regarding the proper way to plant and maintain new trees. You can also ask an environmental expert any question or concern you may have in your lawn or garden.
The Planting America project is also planning on big screen exposure, working with two award-winning filmmakers to arrange a documentary about the trip and the overall message of environmental maintenance and social responsibility.
If you would like to support Planting America Inc., check out the website www.plantingamerica.org and learn about donation and sponsorship opportunities. You can find their trip itinerary, educational materials and contact information.