Rockler Gives a Gift to Forests with the Planting of 78,000 Tree Seedlings in Northern Minnesota as Part of Company's Donation to the Hardwood Forestry Fund

MEDINA, Minn., Dec. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Family-owned Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, one of the nation's premier retailers of woodworking tools and supplies, gave a gift to the forests of Northern Minnesota with the planting of 78,000 tree seedlings. The summertime planting was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in Finland State Park. The donation was a component of Rockler's $50,000 contribution to the Hardwood Forestry Fund (HFF) to support 2021 tree-planting projects across the country.

The seedlings were planted this summer and according to the DNR's forestry team they survived a severe drought and extreme wildland fire threats in northeastern Minnesota.

The Minnesota DNR identified 95 acres of forest in need of replanting along the state's North Shore, as the area had seen decreased growth and die-back during the past 10 years. The DNR planted a mix of red oak, white pine and white spruce seedlings to diversify the forest type to ensure a healthier forest. The new seedlings will also increase the quality of the future harvestable timber, and add to the resilience and adaptability of a forest increasingly impacted by a changing climate.

"As a Minnesota company, we couldn't be more proud to support a planting of seedlings on the North Shore, which is a treasured area for the state," said Ann Jackson, executive chairman of Rockler Woodworking and Hardware.

Rockler's contribution to HFF continues the company's commitment to supporting the nonprofit organization, which is dedicated to establishing sustainable hardwood forests. Since 2008, Rockler has donated more than $100,000 to HFF to fund tens of thousands of tree-plantings across the country. Rockler's donations to HFF have helped fund reforestation projects in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin and more.

"It's so important to have support from companies like Rockler to help us with critical reforestation projects," said Anna Heurth, a silviculture program forester for the Minnesota DNR. "This area of the Finland State Park was in great need of new forest growth and our teams will be monitoring these new seedlings to help them take hold and thrive."

Since 1990, HFF has partnered with forestry organizations like the Minnesota DNR to plant and manage more than 4 million trees in 30 states across the US, as well as in four international countries.

"We are grateful for the work of the Hardwood Forestry Fund and the Minnesota DNR for their work to help grow forests for future generations," said Jackson. "This reforestation project will not only add to the North Shore's vibrant woodland, but it will also give us a renewable, harvestable forest for centuries to come."

About Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
Celebrating its 67th anniversary as a family-run business, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware is the nation's premier supplier of specialty hardware, tools, lumber and other high-quality woodworking products. Rockler has 38 retail locations across 20 states, as well as extensive catalog and internet operations.

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Media Contact

Lauren Sauer, Rockler Woodworking and Hardware, 612-767-2403, [email protected]

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