NS Delivers $295,000 to Forest Management Programs

Norfolk Southern has made a combined donation of $295,000 to American Forests and the Forest Landowners Foundation. (Cokko Swain Media / American Forests)

Norfolk Southern (NS) on April 28 reported donating $250,000 to American Forests and $45,000 to the Forest Landowners Foundation as part of its commitment to sustainability.

The larger donation will go toward American Forests’ participation in the Detroit Tree Equity Partnership with the city of Detroit, DTE Energy and other local groups. As part of a city revitalization effort, the public-private partnership will plant in five years more than 75,000 trees, employ more than 300 Detroit residents in tree care and maintenance jobs, and invest $30 million in Detroit neighborhoods including two near the NS’s Oakwood Yard. Since its inception in 1875, American Forests has funded more than 1,000 forest restoration projects, planted 70 million trees, and helped expand tree canopy in dozens of major cities.

The Forest Landowners Foundation donation will support, among other projects, a new public web platform that NS said “will enhance visibility into wood-supply sourcing and be targeted directly to wood-fiber users and ESG influencers.” Forestry and the larger agriculture community represent about 10% of the railroad’s annual shipments. The focus of the Forest Landowners Foundation is researching and providing data, messaging, and awareness about private forests and their owners “to ensure strong markets, healthy forests and generational transfer.” 

“As forest landowners for almost 200 years, we understand and appreciate the many environmental and health benefits trees—and particularly forests—provide and we are excited to support the work of both organizations to ensure these benefits remain for future generations,” said NS Chief Sustainability Officer Josh Raglin, who recently received a Constellation Research ESG50 award for championing environmental, social and governance strategies.

“These organizations are tireless advocates and important voices for promoting forestry management and preservation,” NS Director of Corporate Giving Kristin Wong said. “It was a natural fit to partner together and help to ensure healthy forests and create resilient communities.”