smart USA is planting trees!

In celebration of the smart fortwo’s first year anniversary in the United States, smart USA will plant a tree in honor of every vehicle sold in 2008. In partnership with American Forests and Daimler Financial Services, smart USA will plant approximately 25,000 trees in the Cache River State Natural Area, located in southern Illinois, about 150 miles southeast of St. Louis, Missouri. smart USA plans to continue this initiative for every vehicle sold in 2009 as well. This partnership not only celebrates the smart fortwo owner, but also helps the environment, much like the environmentally friendly smart fortwo.

Simply by purchasing this vehicle, smart fortwo owners have already played an active role in supporting the environment. In addition to great fuel economy, the smart fortwo is up to 95% recyclable, and is certified as a SmartWay vehicle for its low air pollutant and greenhouse gas scores by the Environmental Protection Agency. The smart fortwo leaves a small carbon footprint on the American landscape.

smart fortwo owners, as well as the general public, will be able to visit the Cache River State Natural Area, or camp overnight at Fern Cliff State Park, located across from the tree planting site*. In addition, when owners reach the one year anniversary of taking delivery of their vehicle, they can download a certificate recognizing this environmental contribution.

American Forests, the country’s oldest non-profit citizens’ conservation organization, is a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests. Since 1875, American Forests has been working to create healthy forest ecosystems for every community. smart USA will be planting the trees as part of the American Forests' Global ReLeaf campaign, which is dedicated to planting native trees in rural and urban ecosystem restoration projects across the United States and around the world. The Cache River State Natural Area project will create large blocks of historic hardwood bottomlands that support neotropical migratory birds. It will provide high-quality swamp and wetland habitats for more than 100 species listed as threatened or endangered, such as river otters, little blue herons, and the Indiana bat.
Click here to visit the American Forests website.

If you are a smart fortwo owner, you can download an official certificate recognizing the tree planted in honor of each smart fortwo sold in the United States. Please enter the last 6 digits of your VIN# and the state in which you purchased your smart fortwo.
Go to http://www.smartusa.com/smart-fortwo-plant-a-tree.asp

Note: Only smart fortwo owners who have reached or passed their one year anniversary will be able to download the electronic certificate.