Erie Insurance recognized for urban tree planting initiative and named ‘Outstanding Business Environmental Steward’ by Plant it Forward

ERIE, Pa., July 29, 2024 - Erie Insurance (ERIE) has been recognized for an environmental sustainability initiative to plant curbside trees in downtown Erie, Pa., creating long-lasting, positive impacts for people in the communities it serves.

During a presentation at Discover Presque Isle, Erie Insurance received the "2024 Outstanding Business Environmental Steward" award for its 100 Trees Project from the Plant it Forward Community Tree Planting Initiative. Launched 10 years ago, Plant it Forward is a joint initiative of the Sierra Club, Lake Erie Arboretum at Frontier (LEAF) RELEAF and Butterflies for Kids.

"Plant it Forward Community Tree Planting Initiative is pleased to recognize Erie Insurance with this award," said Diane Christin Zenchenko-Esser, Butterflies for Kids founder and Sierra Club board member. "Erie Insurance's 100 Trees Project promotes sustainability and aligns with Plant it Forward's goals to increase the urban forest canopy for the positive health impact of the Erie community."

Erie Insurance's 100 Trees Project, which has already planted nearly 100 curbside shade trees on its downtown campus, will culminate at the company's centennial celebration in 2025.

"We didn't want to wait for a milestone to do our part for the environment and our city," said Jeff Brinling, ERIE's senior vice president for corporate services. "Adding these trees to improve the streetscape around our downtown campus is vital to making our community more livable for everyone."

Building on the 100 Trees Project, Erie Insurance also partners with the Arbor Day Foundation to expand environmental initiatives across its footprint. In 2023, the company provided trees for employees to plant throughout 12 states and the District of Columbia. The Arbor Day Foundation projected that those trees would contribute to the following long-term estimated impacts over a 20-year period:

• Energy Savings: 2.35 million kWh
• Carbon Sequestration: 7 million lbs.
• Stormwater Runoff: 22 million gallons

In recent years, ERIE has also made multiple investments to promote sustainability and increased its philanthropic support of environmental responsibility initiatives. The Thomas B. Hagen Building, dedicated in September 2021, was built to meet Gold LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification standards from the U.S. Green Building Council and features vegetated roofs as well as energy optimization, light pollution reduction and water use reduction systems. Additionally, Erie Insurance Giving Network continues to support environmental nonprofit organizations in northwest Pennsylvania through various grants.

"We believe that our commitment to corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship is an extension of the care we show our customers and communities, agents and employees," said Christine Blashock, ERIE's chief diversity and community development officer. "Erie Insurance will continue investing in and partnering with organizations that, like ERIE, are committed to greener, healthier communities."