A ceremonial tree planting at Amelia Cornelius Culture Park on the Oneida Reservation as part of the Green Bay Packers’ First Downs for Trees initiative, August 20, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online

ONEIDA, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Thanks to the Green Bay Packers’ tree planting program, communities across Brown County are getting greener.

First Downs for Trees is an annual initiative in which a tree is donated for every first down the Packers make during the previous season. This year, 402 trees were donated, bringing the total to 7,194 since the program began in 2010.

According to officials, the trees planted will provide a total benefit of $34 million over their lifetime by reducing stormwater runoff, lowering carbon dioxide emissions, saving energy, improving air quality and increasing property values.

On Tuesday, the Packers celebrated another successful year of First Downs for Trees with a ceremonial tree planting at Amelia Cornelius Culture Park on the Oneida Reservation, near the Brown County Dog Park.

Mark Murphy, Packers President and CEO, explained why this initiative is so significant for the company.

“It’s important because we want to make sure we continue to have beautiful trees and parks like this, and that’s something that’s very important to the Packers as a community-owned team,” Murphy said. “We’re here for the long haul and we want to make sure the community continues to thrive and do well, and environmental sustainability is really an important part of that.”

Murphy said First Downs for Trees is a central part of the Packers’ Green Team, which focuses on using renewable resources and other sustainable practices on game days and every day at Lambeau Field.

“The Packers probably started our Green Team 10 or 15 years ago, and this is a big part of it. We’re really environmentally sustainable and responsible, and we’re really happy with the partnerships we’ve built over the years,” Murphy said. “I think the long-term benefits of this are going to be significant.”

It may not seem like much when we plant each tree, but it is truly impressive.

Murphy added that the program helps offset the team’s carbon footprint from traveling to away games.

Representatives from Green Bay Packaging, the Wisconsin DNR and the Oneida Nation also spoke at Tuesday’s event.

Sixteen communities in Brown County received trees this year: Allouez, Ashwaubenon, Bellevue, Brown County, De Pere, Green Bay, Hobart, Howard, Lawrence, Ledgeview, Morrison, Oneida, Pulaski, Scott, Suamico and Wrightstown.

Green Bay Packaging, Inc. provided the funds for planting the trees, which were provided by Meacham Nursery and Leaves Inspired. Species planted include elms, maples, lilacs, oaks, black locusts and crabapple trees.