"Trees provide so many benefits to our everyday lives," said Bill Stanley, State Director for The Nature Conservancy, Ohio. "Not only are they beautiful, they also clean our air, provide our water resources, help curb climate change, and create homes for thousands of species of plants and animals. Planting a Billion Trees can help save the Earth from deforestation."

In February, Ashland joined the global movement of leading companies to align operations with the ambitious aim of the Paris Climate Accord to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 °C above preindustrial levels. The specialty materials company has also made the UN Global Compact and its principles part of the company's business strategy, culture and day-to-day operations.

"Ashland is excited about supporting The Nature Conservancy's mission. After planting trees, their staff and scientists work with a network of in-country partners including governments, forestry companies, local cooperatives, non-governmental organizations and local communities to offer assistance and technical guidance using established conservancy projects as a model to accelerate reforestation results and minimize costs for long-term protection," said Guillermo Novo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Ashland. "Our global organization has an earnest and heartfelt approach towards sustainability and the local communities in which we operate. We will continue to intensify our focus on the environment, social and governance (ESG)."

To learn more, visit www.ashland.com/trees.