Tree by Tree: The Mile High Million

In April 2007, Suncor announced its partnership with the City of Denver to support a major urban greening initiative in the Denver area. Called “Tree by Tree: the Mile High Million,” the challenge began with a planting blitz called “7,000 Trees in 7 Days," spanning from Earth Day to Arbor Day.

In April 2008, the blitz brought together more than 50 community partners and 3,500 volunteers working towards the goal to plant 75,000 trees in Denver and surrounding communities.

The Mile High Million is an unprecedented regional initiative that aims to plant one million new trees in Denver and surrounding communities by 2025 in an effort to triple the region's tree canopy from six to 18 percent, contributing to storm water management, air cooling and air quality improvement.

To manage the effort, Denver Parks and Recreation, Suncor Energy and several community partners work together to identify priority areas, track tree plantings and coordinate activities. The initiative is a key component of Greenprint Denver, a long-term plan designed to promote the importance of sustainable development and ecologically friendly practices throughout the community.

“This is a historic undertaking and we're excited to be a part of it,” says Steve Douglas, vice president, supply and marketing, Refining and Marketing U.S.A. “As a company with local headquarters and operations in the region, Suncor employees don't just work here — we live here too. We believe environmental sustainability is everyone's responsibility, and we appreciate the opportunity to support efforts that will improve our community for generations to come.”

Suncor continues to partner with the City of Denver in support of this major urban greening initiative by committing $1 million.

Earth Day in Ontario

Suncor's Canadian retail operation, Sunoco, partners with Earth Day Canada, conservation authorities and community groups to organize tree-planting events in six major cities in late April and early May each year. Through these events, we help increase awareness and take small steps toward restoring and protecting the Earth. The events feature tree planting, fun activities for the family and on-site educational displays focused on the environment and conservation.

Sunoco's Earth Day program has been made possible through donations by the Suncor Energy Foundation. Since 1998, the Foundation has provided more than $2 million to Earth Day Canada events.

Since the inception of the program, more than 86,365 native trees and shrubs have been planted at Sunoco Earth Day events. Sunoco's program will absorb the carbon given off by about 3,455,000 km of car driving every year.