Naples, NY- February 26, 2009- Envirothon is an event that New York State has been
participating in since 1990. The event started in Pennsylvania in 1979 as an Environ-Olympics, and eventually transformed into the Envirothon. The event has now grown into a national event where 44 states and 7 provinces compete in five environmental categories (soils/land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, and wildlife) for scholarships. Envirothon strives to heighten students’ interests in the environment, to make them more aware of environmental issues throughout their lives.

Meadowview has dedicated itself to supporting the NYS Envirothon program by promising to donate $1.00 for every American chestnut seedling that is sold. “We recognize the importance of environmental education. Through programs such as NYS Envirothon our country’s youth gains the knowledge to maintain and improve our nation’s natural resources.” Commented Jeanie Sloat newly appointed CEO at Meadowview.

This program is also in place to promote the sale of American chestnuts, which suffered blight in 1904-1950. The species was virtually eliminated from forest lands by an Asiatic blight fungus imported in the late 1800s. The American chestnut foundation has made great strides in producing blight free trees through a process of backcross breeding with the blight free Chinese chestnut. The first blight free seedlings are now being planted on our national forest lands. Once “King of the forest” the American chestnut is typically now found only as a small stump sprout, rarely reaching 20 feet in height, according to the American chestnut foundation. Meadowview operations manager Stephen Doudt ensured, “Our seed comes from trees which have made it to seed baring age in the wild. But seed is scarce and we take great care in planting, growing, harvesting and shipping these seedlings.”

“This campaign brings awareness to both the importance of the survival of the American chestnut and the environmental education of our youth.” Noted Meadowview CFO Monette Goodridge. To purchase an American chestnut tree from Meadowview and support the NYS Envirothon visit http://www.MeadowviewGardenStore.com.