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ARBOR DAY TREE TAGS TEACH CHICAGOANS THAT EVERY TREE MATTERS

LISLE, IL (April 19, 2013) – Commuters in downtown Chicago are noticing brightly lit, oversized tags hanging from the trees. These tags, hung by volunteers from The Morton Arboretum and BMO Harris Bank on Friday, April 19, adorn more than 1,700 downtown trees as well as an additional 2,000 trees in the Chicago suburbs.

As you pass by the tags, you can learn more about the environmental and economic benefits of trees. Messages on the tags remind us that every tree matters: "Trees clean the air we breathe," "Trees keep us cooler," "Trees increase our homes' value," "Trees make our streets quieter," "Trees help us relax" and "Tree make our cities safer." To learn more about the science behind each of these claims, passersby can scan the QR code on the bottom right hand corner of the tag with their smart phones or visit mortonarb.org/everytreematters.

The tags are hung from Roosevelt to as far north as Division, as far west as Clinton and as far east as Millennium Park. The tags will stay up for two weeks as part of a city-wide celebration of Arbor Day.

"Many of us don't sto p and think about the importance of trees as we pass by them. This Arbor Day, we are helping Chicagoans remember that our trees aren't just beautiful, they also provide us with very real economic and health benefits," says Nicole Cavender, vice president of science and conservation. "When passersby read the tree tags and begin to understand how trees affect each one of them personally, the hope is they will care more for the trees in their own communities."

"BMO Harris Bank is committed to the principals of sustainable development and the belief that the quality of our lives improves when economic growth is integrated with respect for the environment," said Andy Tilmont, Head of Corporate Real Estate & Head of US Sustainability Council, BMO Harris Bank. We are proud to be a part of a collaborative effort to highlight the environmental worth of trees in our City. Protecting the environment is everybody's business and working together we can conserve Chicago and leave a lasting legacy for future generations."  

To learn more ways to celebrate Arbor Day, visit mortonarb.org/arborday.
BMO Harris Bank is the Contributing Sponsor for Arbor Week at The Morton Arboretum.

About The Morton Arboretum
The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized outdoor tree museum on 1,700 acres. Plant collections, scientific research and education programs support the mission to plant and conserve trees and other plants for a greener, healthier and more beautiful world. Designed with natural landscapes, the grounds include the award-winning, four-acre interactive Children's Garden, the one-acre Maze Garden, plus specialty gardens, 16 miles of trails and nine miles of roads. Visitor experiences include the open-air tram ride, guided walks, Arbor Day celebrations, concerts, art shows, Fall Color Festival, and special exhibits. The Arboretum welcomes more than 800,000 visitors annually and serves more than 35,600 members. Located 25 miles west of Chicago in Lisle, Illinois, the Arboretum is open daily 7 a.m. until sunset. Learn more at www.mortonarb.org.