Knock on Wood

September 2007

CHANCES ARE, American legend Johnny Appleseed – known for sowing apple seeds across the country in the 1800s – never stumbled upon a company like Apache in his travels. If he had, he likely would have given up an energetic high-five.

In 2006, Apache Founder Raymond Plank put in motion an initiative that would have given the pioneer nurseryman a run for his money. The Apache Foundation Tree Program was launched with the goal of planting 1 million trees in and around the communities in which Apache operates.

“As a company that makes its living producing natural resources, Apache takes its responsibilities to the environment seriously by continually assessing the company’s ‘footprint’ on the planet and implementing appropriate actions to reduce that impact,” said Obie O’Brien, director of Government Relations and Corporate Outreach.

Planting trees is an effective way to better communities by reducing sound, producing oxygen, storing carbon, providing shade, reducing erosion, and increasing property values, O’Brien explained.

Through the program, the foundation purchases and donates native seedlings or young trees for beautification projects coordinated by counties, municipalities, schools, churches, parks or other non-profits. The organizations receiving the trees are responsible for planting and caring for the young trees after Apache has delivered them.

The project was kicked off with initial plantings in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and Wyoming last year. While the program has made its start in the United States, O’Brien hopes to eventually expand the project to other Apache regions around the world where Apache operates.

“Employees are encouraged to get involved in efforts to be good stewards of the environment,” O’Brien said.

The mission of the Apache Foundation is to leave the world a better place – through scientific study, practical application of environmentally sound principles of land use, planning and tree-planting as a method of carbon sequestration, and other activities that will improve the human condition around the world, particularly in the areas in which Apache operates.

These trees were planted at a Houston-area school through the Apache Foundation Tree Program. Trees are donated to projects coordinated by various non-profit organizations.

Apache volunteers helped plant trees when the program was launched. So far, 13,500 trees have been donated to communities where Apache operates.

At the Ucross Ranch in Wyoming, one element of the project is development of a memorial grove of trees planted in memory of Apache employees who have died.

“Through these trees, we will remember people who helped build Apache over the last 53 years and, at the same time, create something that will demonstrate our commitment to the future,” Plank said.

“We really want ideas and projects to come in with help from employees,” O’Brien said. “We’re hoping this builds on itself.”

Employees who are aware of a potential tree planting project are asked to visit the Apache Foundation Tree Program intranet site to learn more or to fill out an application form for a tree grant.

To access the site on the intranet: click on Corporate / Apache Foundation / Pages / Apache Foundation Tree Program. For additional information, call 713-296-6060 or send an e-mail to apachetreeprogram@apachecorp.com.
Apache Foundation also accepts financial contributions from employees who wish to help but are unaware of a project in need of seedlings. Donations may be used for various activities, including the tree program. Every $50 contribution to the foundation is rewarded with a young sapling as a token of appreciation.

Donations of $25 or more may be matched through the company’s matching gift program. Matching gift forms are available on the Corporate Outreach intranet site under Documents or Matching Gifts.

For more information on the company’s matching gift program, contact Kim Crider in the Corporate Outreach Department.

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