Once again, the Automotive Executive of the Year organization proudly supports the Arbor Day Foundation’s Huron-Manistee National Forest project in the effort to reduce our nation’s carbon footprint. Our donation goes directly toward the planting of jack pine trees throughout Michigan’s Huron-Manistee National Forest.

In addition to counteracting the effects of industrial carbon output, the trees help provide a habitat for the Kirtland’s warbler, a rare songbird found in very few places on Earth. “We are proud to help further the Arbor Day Foundation’s reforestation efforts to create the necessary breeding habitat for the Kirtland’s warbler, while also restoring watersheds and beautifying the area.” says Robert Djurovic, DNV’s director of automotive services and Executive Director of the Automotive Executive of the Year Award.

Kirtland’s warblers nest on the ground under living branches of jack pine trees in increasingly few natural habitats throughout North America. A pair of these small, colorful birds requires at least eight acres of young jack pine forest to nest and 30-40 acres to raise their young. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Kirtland’s warbler as an endangered species in 1973.