FREE TREE GIVE-AWAY AT THE PORT OF LOS ANGELES

SAN PEDRO, Calif. – May 18, 2007 – The Port of Los Angeles will be giving away a total of 500 free trees to the community on Saturday, May 26, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at its Administration Building parking lot located at 425 S. Palos Verdes Street in San Pedro.  The tree give-away is part of Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s Million Trees LA program.

“We’re inviting all of our neighbors to come on out and get a tree, or two!” said Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D., Port of Los Angeles executive director.  “We’re working hand in hand with the Mayor to green Los Angeles and this is just the start.”

Trees will be limited to two per family and will be given away on a first-come, first-served basis.  There is a possibility that the trees may run out before 2 p.m., so interested parties hoping to plant a tree Saturday afternoon should arrive early.  Transportation for the trees must be provided and no deliveries will be available.  Trees will generally be the 5-gallon size.

The Port of Los Angeles free tree program includes supplying free trees to its customers and neighbors in addition to its beautification program of continued tree plantings on and around Port property.  Last month, the Port planted more than 70 street trees along Avalon Blvd. in Wilmington.  The Port plans to plant and/or give away more than 7,300 trees by the end of 2009.

The next tree give-away day will take place at the same location on Saturday, June 23, as part of the Port’s Clean Future event, a celebration of environmentally-friendly technologies that can be used at home and in Port operations.

For more information, see the Port’s website at www.portoflosangeles.org.