[April 01, 2013] |
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ACE Continues Support of American Forests' Tree-Planting and Ecosystem Restoration Projects in Nine Locations Worldwide
PHILADELPHIA --(Business Wire)--
The ACE Group today announced the selection of seven national and two
international forest restoration projects as part of its sponsorship of
American Forests' Global ReLeaf program, marking the sixth year it has
supported this effort, and the second time the company has supported
projects outside the United States under the program. In March, ACE
renewed its sponsorship of the Global ReLeaf program, pledging to plant
more than 13,500 trees - one for each environmental insurance policy
written by ACE globally in 2012. Since it began its relationship with
American Forests in 2007, ACE has sponsored nearly 50,000 tree plantings
through the program.
"Last year was an extraordinary year for wildfires in the United States,
the third worst fire season since 1960. It's even more important for ACE
to reaffirm its commitment and support to the American Forests Global
ReLeaf program," said Craig Richardson (News - Alert), Senior Vice President, ACE
Environmental Risk. "We're proud of our sustainability efforts through
participation in this program and pleased that, with the continued
support of our clients, we can take part in helping to drive the
protection and expansion of the forest restoration program. We look
forward to continuing to work together with American Forests to create a
healthier planet."
The ACE Group contributions supported 1,500 tree plantings in each of
the following programs affiliated with American Forests Global ReLeaf
program in 2012:
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California (Airport Fire) - An illegal campfire in July, 2011,
destroyed 81 acres of forest in Alpine Country, Ca. Adjacent to the
project is the Alpine County Airport, and an 18,000 acre burn scar
from a previous 1983 wildfire. This project will plant 20,000 fire
resistant Jeffrey Pines to help restore the popular Indian Creek
Reservoir and Campground.
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Indonesia (Orangutan Habitat Restoration and Protection in the
Dolok Sibual Buali Nature Reserve) - This project will reforest
140 acres of degraded Sumatran orangutan habitat in the Batang Toru
forest. The Sumatran orangutan is a critically endangered species,
struggling to survive in the island's shrinking forests. Suitable
habitats for this species have been lost due to illegal logging, and
poaching also poses a serious threat to these primates' survival.
Reforesting in the Dolok Sibual Buali Nature Reserve is helping to
secure land where these animals can thrive.
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Mexico (Restoration and Enrichment of Migratory Bird Habitat) -
This project will work toward the restoration of the cloud forest (the
most vulnerable and bio diverse ecosystem in Mexico) and shade-grown
coffee plantations with 20,000 multipurpose native trees of ecological
importance. Additionally, the project will improve people's awareness
and increase tree maintenance by local communities through the
production and distribution of trees for economic stability.
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Minnesota (Blowdown Reforestation) - On July 2, 2012, a storm
with 80-85 mph straight line winds caused massive blow down in the
Chippewa National Forest. Anestimated 95,000 acres were affected in
what is considered the heart of "pine country." Restoration of these
pine stands is critical to both the wildlife that depends on them for
habitat and food sources and recreationists that enjoy their outdoor
splendor. The Ojibwa community living on the Leech Lake Reservation
also has a special bond with the forest.
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Montana (Whitebark Planting) - The Mussigbrod Fire of 2000
burnt 33,000 acres on the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.
Whitebark pine has been negatively affected in the forest both from
high elevation wildfire and from the current mountain pine beetle
epidemic. The planting will help start a process of putting back a
keystone species that has been affected greatly in the Mussigbrod area
and enhance the ecological diversity and wildfire habitat.
-
North Carolina (North Mills River Riparian Restoration) - The
North Fork Mills River is an eligible Wild and Science River and
essential to the maintenance of trout, drinking, and high quality
waters. Streamside vegetation is required in order to mitigate erosion
and subsequent damage to aquatic habitat. The area has experienced
significant tree mortality resulting in a drastically degraded
riparian habitat. This project seeks to improve the health of the
natural watershed; assisting in the maintenance of hydrologic function
and enhancing stream stability and water quality.
-
Vermont (Riparian Tree Planting) - This project will re-plant
and inter-plant previously planted riparian areas either destroyed or
disturbed by the historic flooding of the White River caused by
Tropical Storm Irene in August 2011. Streamside vegetation was removed
by the flood waters in the matter of just a few hours, resulting in
the loss of valuable planted shade-producing trees and shrubs, and the
highly productive food source the vegetation provided to
stream-dwelling organisms. The upper White River has been the focus of
Atlantic salmon re-introduction, eastern brook trout enhancement, and
other fisheries habitat improvements. Plantings will help restore a
healthy splendor.
-
Virginia (North River Oak Restoration) - In the Appalachian
Mountains, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
contain nearly 1.8 million acres of forest land and provide habitat
for turkey, squirrel, and bear. Gypsy moth damage and subsequent
mortality in a portion of the forest, close to the Shenandoah
Mountains, have reduced the stump sprouting potential of damaged oak
providing hard mast. This project will restore several species of tree
to the area, aiding in the forest's natural regeneration, and helping
combat the spread of invasive, nonnative species.
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Wyoming (Grouse Mountain Whitebark Pine Restoration) - This
project will test and demonstrate various silvicultural methods to
restore whitebark pine following severe mountain pine beetle mortality
and competition from primarily subalpine fir. Animal species, such as
Clark's nutcracker and grizzly bears, rely on whitebark seeds rich in
fat and energy for their survival. The site is also crucial for the
provision of water resources and recreational opportunities throughout
the year. American
Forests, the nation's oldest nonprofit citizens' conservation
organization, helps people understand the need to restore forest
ecosystems in urban and rural areas through community-based
initiatives. The organization introduced Global ReLeaf in 1988 to
restore damaged forest ecosystems through the planting of trees. The
goal of this campaign is to plant 100 million trees by the year 2020.
ACE has been a pioneer in developing advanced environmental risk
insurance solutions designed to minimize bottom line impacts and provide
hands-on management for environmental liabilities. ACE's Environmental
Risk divisions in the U.S. and abroad offer a full range of specialized
environmental and sustainable property and casualty insurance products
and services, promoted as "ACE Green," including coverages for
premises-based exposures, contractors' and project pollution liability,
and renewable energy and environmental cleanup projects.
To learn more about the ACE Group's environmental insurance products and
services, please visit www.acegroup.com.
For more information about ACE's overall environmental initiative,
please visit www.acegreen.com.
For more information on American Forests, please visit www.americanforests.org.
The ACE Group is one of the world's largest multiline property and
casualty insurers. With operations in 53 countries, ACE provides
commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal
accident supplemental health insurance, reinsurance, and life insurance
to a diverse group of clients. ACE Limited, the parent company of the
ACE Group, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ACE) and is a
component of the S&P 500 index. Additional information can be found at: www.acegroup.com.
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