University of Guelph

Trees for Life and the University of Guelph's Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics and Sustainability Office, partnered to plant 700 trees on the University's campus. With the planting of these trees, the collaborators  will reduce the carbon footprint of the University’s recently constructed Lang Plaza and build a greener campus. Over 200 volunteers, many of them University of Guelph students, staff and supporters, participated in the planting throughout the day across from Lang Way, beside Lambton Hall.

“Trees for Life is honoured to participate in this event and to support the mission of The Lang School of Business and Economics to teach the next generation to use business as a force for good,” says Mark Cullen, Founder & President of Trees for Life. “The gathering of this community to plant a forest of 700 trees to reduce the carbon footprint of the construction of Lang Plaza showcases how individuals, institutions, and governments can collaborate for the benefit of a community now and in the future.  This project is a great example of the kind of ecological and social benefits we’ll see as a result of our work and it helps further our mission of planting trees where Canadians live, work and play. The funding provided by Natural Resources Canada through the Two Billion Tree Program is key to our success. Not only will we be able to support a wealth of worthwhile planting projects like this one, but our donors will be highly motivated to continue to provide support knowing that it is being matched by our federal government." 

“We are so pleased to welcome Trees for Life to campus to participate in this important event at the Lang School,” says Dr. Lysa Porth, Dean of the Gordon S. Lang School of Business and Economics. “We value collaborative communities, good citizenship, and a strong sense of belonging and this tree planting initiative captures the essence of our healthy and diverse community. I’m excited to join our students, faculty and other community members in planting these trees next to our campus. 

The Lang School is the Canadian leader in sustainable business education. The School’s MBA program is ranked #1 in Canada by Corporate Knights for its strength in responsible business education. “Lang business students graduate with the unquestionable belief that they have the ability to positively impact society, the environment and the economy,” says Porth.

This tree planting event was sponsored by the University of Guelph and funded in part by Trees for Life, which is supported by Natural Resources Canada through the Federal Government’s “2 Billion Trees Program”.