Apache Corporation's Tree Grant Program Kicks Off 2016-2017 Planting Season With 280,000 Tree Donations To Area Nonprofits

HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Apache Corporation (NYSE, Nasdaq: APA) today announced it has kicked off the 2016-2017 tree planting season by awarding a total of 280,000 trees as part of the annual Apache Tree Grant Program. This year the company is partnering with 24 nonprofits across three states including the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, the Black Bear Conservation Coalition, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The plantings will start this week and continue into May 2017. Apache's Tree Grant program has donated more than 4 million trees to nonprofits across 17 states since its launch in 2005.

Sowing seeds of ongoing support

The city of New Orleans' NOLA Tree Project has been awarded a donation of 2,400 trees which will be used for replanting efforts in Louisiana parishes impacted by recent flooding.

"Your support of the NOLA Tree Project will help substantially as they work to revitalize neighborhoods throughout Louisiana," said Mitchell Landrieu, mayor of the City of New Orleans. "Thank you for your commitment as an ongoing and dedicated partner for New Orleans. The people of New Orleans will never forget those who helped us when we needed it most."

Along 80-acres of what is called the "Milagro Tract," the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Texas will plant 10,000 Apache-donated seedlings as part of the Refuge's Farmland Phase-out and Re-vegetation Program. The Milagro Tract is adjacent to the Refuge's Rio Reforestation site, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in October. The Refuge expects more than 1,000 visitors to attend and help plant 31 acres of trees. 

"The generous financial support we've received from Apache Corporation and others for purchase of native tree seedlings enables the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to further leverage its ecosystem restoration capabilities within the Tamaulipan thornscrub habitats found only in southernmost counties of deep South Texas," said Bryan Winton, Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge manager. "Without these additional funds, our annual acreage and plant restoration/distribution goals would be next to impossible to achieve."

Much of the Lower Rio Grande area, about 12,750 acres, has been restored through the Refuge's Farmland Phase-out and Re-vegetation programs. Since 1989, the program has planted an estimated 6.5 million seedlings to reforest the habitat of many endangered species such as the ocelot and jaguarundi, making it the most successful and longest running reforestation project in the United States. This is the second year that Apache has supported the Lower Rio Grande Valley National Wildlife Refuge's efforts.

The company continues ongoing donations to other organizations including the Black Bear Conservation Coalition (BBCC) and Texas Parks & Wildlife. Apache donated 250,000 native bottomland hardwood seedlings to BBCC to continue habitat restoration efforts for endangered black bears in Louisiana and Texas. The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department received 2,735 trees from Apache for plantings in 14 parks throughout the state. The parks received trees native to their areas.

Another 2016-2017 recipient of Apache-donated trees is the Lubbock Roots Historical Arts Council which promotes a greater understanding of the African American experience through the practice and appreciation of the visual and performing arts and through the study, interpretation and preservation of the history of the African American in the Early American West. The Council plans to use the tree donation to help beautify East Lubbock and promote economic development in the community. The revitalization effort will take an estimated three years to complete.

Company leaves legacy of trees

"Now in its 11^th year, our tree program has been a great way for our employees to volunteer in their communities and for the company to make a lasting contribution," said Apache CEO and President John J. Christmann IV.

A cornerstone of the company's community outreach and giving efforts, the tree program was extended to employees in 2012 with the formation of The Trees for Tots program. The program donates a tree to honor each child born to or adopted by an Apache employee from January to December of the previous year. More than 100 trees have been planted in honor of children of Apache employees to date.

For more information about the Apache Tree Grant Program, please visit www.apachelovestrees.com.

About Apache

Apache Corporation is an oil and gas exploration and production company with operations in the United States, Canada, Egypt, and the United Kingdom. Apache posts announcements, operational updates, investor information and press releases on its website, www.apachecorp.com, and on its Media and Investor Center mobile application, which is available for free download from the Apple App Store and the Google's Play store.

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