Korean Air donates $160,000 to Million Trees Los Angeles Initiative

Korean Air has donated $160,000 to the Million Trees Los Angeles (MTLA) initiative developed by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa to create and sustain urban forestry. The Korean Air partnership in Los Angeles will help plant, water and care for urban trees throughout the city.

“Trees provide shade and save energy costs, clean the air and help reduce the greenhouse gases that cause global warming,” said Jong Eun (Jay) Lee, Korean Air’s Regional Director for the Americas. “They also reduce pollution, capture polluted urban runoff, improve water quality, and add beauty to Los Angeles’ neighborhoods. Our donation to MTLA is not just about beautifying the city, but about its environment and we’re honored to make this donation and be part of the green solution.”

Korean Air is the first international airline to make this commitment to the MTLA initiative. The airline’s North American headquarters are in Los Angeles.

“We are excited and proud to be partnering with Korean Air in their ongoing commitment to improving our environment throughout the world. Korean Air is a corporate role model, providing leadership and investing in LA’s urban forest which will provide numerous benefits for generations of Angeleno’s,” said Lisa Sarno, Executive Director for MTLA.

A formal agreement was signed today between the City of Los Angeles and Korean Air. An official kick-off to the program will take place in March 2009 when the airline celebrates its 40th anniversary. At the March event Korean Air and MTLA employees are expected to begin planting and watering “Korean Air Trees”.

As part of its environmental initiatives, Korean Air has been planting trees in Mongolia since 2004 and in China’s Inner Mongolia region since 2007 to help lessen the impact of yellow dust and desertification and promote conservation efforts of Mongolian forests.

The airline hopes to expand this grass-roots environmental program worldwide and chose Los Angeles to kick off the campaign.

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