U-Haul Wins Top Environmental Award for Forest Project in Prescott

Oct 12, 2018

U-Haul was honored for its local environmental efforts with the coveted Crescordia award on Oct. 6 at the 38th annual Arizona Forward Environmental Excellence Awards at Westin Keirland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale.

U-Haul won for its commitment to the Upper Granite Creek Aspen Restoration Project in the Prescott area.

The Crescordia, from the Greek term meaning “to grow in harmony,” is the highest honor Arizona Forward bestows. It went to U-Haul, a Phoenix-headquartered company since 1967, in the “Healthy Communities – Parks and Trails” category.

Improving Prescott National Forest

U-Haul, thanks to its customers’ support of green initiatives through their point-of-sale contributions to The Conservation Fund, designated a portion of the contributions in 2017-18 to the National Forest Foundation’s efforts in northern Arizona to support aspen restoration in the Prescott National Forest. As a result, this project restored two aspen stands totaling 150 acres.

Aspen stands are increasingly rare and an important habitat in Prescott. The project used hand-thinning treatments to remove ponderosa pine in and around the aspen stands to reduce catastrophic fire risk. By rehabilitating trails and repairing drainage features, the project also enhanced the visitor experience.

“Being headquartered in Phoenix for 50 years, U-Haul was thrilled to support such a critical restoration project in our own backyard,” said Michelle Sullivan, U-Haul Corporate Sustainability manager. “We are grateful to our customers, The Conservation Fund and the National Forest Foundation’s Northern Arizona Forest Fund for their support and efforts in making this project a success.”

Bednarz: Sustainability Champion Finalist

Alexia Bednarz, U-Haul Corporate Sustainability community advocate, was also one of four “Sustainability Champion” finalists. Former Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton won in that category.

“I’m deeply grateful to work for such a supportive company and team at U-Haul,” Bednarz said. “I believe being a champion for sustainability has happened rather intrinsically, based on my love for our community and planet. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.”

Finally, this marks the third Crescordia for U-Haul, which won for “Environmental Excellence – Buildings and Structures” in 2011 and “Environmental Education and Communication – Private Sector” in 2012. Arizona Forward has presented U-Haul with the Award of Merit three times.

U-Haul and The Conservation Fund have partnered since 2007 to raise money and awareness to address climate change by planting trees. Nearly 2 million U-Haul customers have contributed $6 million to plant more than 750,000 trees; protect responsibly-managed working forests; and also build greenspace in underserved communities through The Conservation Fund’s Parks with Purpose.

Featured photo: Credit to Northern Arizona Forest Fund

More articles like this one…

What’s New

U-Haul Embraces History at Ridgefield Fourth of July Parade

U-Haul Embraces History at Ridgefield Fourth of July Parade

Ridgefield’s tree-lined streets were filled with families waving American flags and applauding the iconic company that revolutionized the modern-day moving industry in their town 80 years ago. Located 22 miles north of Portland, Ore., the charming town known for being...

H2O Hero U-Haul Helps St. Vincent de Paul with Water Drive on ABC15

H2O Hero U-Haul Helps St. Vincent de Paul with Water Drive on ABC15

As the Arizona summer brings extreme temperatures, Phoenix-based nonprofit St. Vincent de Paul is ramping up their lifesaving water distribution by providing 4,400 bottles of water a day to at-risk persons seeking hydration and relief. This year, SVdP charity partner...

U-Haul Offers Disaster Relief to Central Illinois Storm Victims

U-Haul Offers Disaster Relief to Central Illinois Storm Victims

U-Haul® is extending 30 days of free self-storage and U-Box® container usage at six centers across central Illinois and western Indiana to residents affected by severe weather that hit the region. Storms packing high winds swept through several counties in...

U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage to West Virginia Flood Victims

U-Haul Offers 30 Days Free Storage to West Virginia Flood Victims

U-Haul® is extending 30 days of free U-Box® container storage at two nearby centers to support residents impacted by severe flash flooding that happened over the weekend in West Virginia. Several inches of rainfall in a very short period of time overwhelmed...