FAIRFAX, VA.—INTUS Windows’ fourth tree planting event was its biggest yet, drawing in architects, developers, builders, government officials, and even an ambassador. As part of their One Window, One Tree program, INTUS holds these plantings biannually near their headquarters in Fairfax, Va. They aim to educate the community and building industry about the importance of trees by getting their hands on them (literally) and giving them a much-needed home.
Through a partnership with the City of Alexandria and the Tree Stewards of Alexandria and Arlington, INTUS Windows planted 50 trees at Four Mile Run Park. The Lithuanian Ambassador to the United States Rolandas Kriščiūnas, Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker, Councilwoman Del Pepper, Councilman Member Mo Seifeldein, former Mayor Allison Silberberg, and INTUS Principals Aurimas Sabulis and Roland Talalas kicked off the event with inspiring words and encouraged other companies to take responsibility for our environment. The event was also coordinated with the help of city natural resources staff members Bob Williams and Rod Simmons, arborist John Marlin, auger-runner Dion Bates, Tree Steward Bonnie Petry, nine other veteran Tree Steward volunteers, and seven trainees. Employees from the architectural firm Retail Design Collaborative and developer/builder Mill Creek Residential learned how to properly plant a tree and took part in planting many of them at the park. There were 73 people in attendance altogether, making this INTUS’ biggest tree planting event to date.
Tree plantings and donations occurred near INTUS’ new Lithuanian office and factory, as well. This attracted the Lithuanian Ambassador and his embassy staff, who also rolled up their sleeves and participated in the planting. The Lithuanian embassy staff spoke with local government officials, and INTUS encouraged more public-private partnerships to increase positive effects to communities.
Tree Planted for Every Window Sold
INTUS Windows partners with companies in the commercial building industry, local governments, and environmental organizations, to plant a tree for every window they sell—#OneWindowOneTree. Through education about how to properly plant trees, the impact trees provide to the environment, and energy conservation through energy efficient building, INTUS aims to change the environmental outlook and increase action within the building industry. The source of nearly 48 percent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are from buildings; windows and doors are key to dramatically increasing the energy efficiency of buildings and decreasing wasted energy.
As Vice Mayor Elizabeth Bennett-Parker pointed out at INTUS’ Fall Tree Planting, the net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours per day. In the next few years the 50 newly planted trees will grow larger and provide a day’s worth of oxygen for up to 18 people.
In 2018, INTUS Windows became the building industry’s first One for One model company. INTUS takes a two-pronged approach when it comes to sustainability. They conserve energy by creating energy efficient window and door solutions for commercial buildings (the biggest energy wasters), while also planting a tree for every window or door they plant to help offset the structure’s carbon footprint. Their EcoMission promises to educate their industry on both sides of their approach. Every year employees provide hundreds of complimentary courses on fenestration topics to architects across the East Coast and Midwest, undergo continuing education on passive house principles, participate in tree plantings, and promote how trees can solve our environmental problems.
This event is INTUS’ fourth tree planting event and second with the Tree Stewards and the City of Alexandria. Their next event will be in the spring of 2020 and they invite anyone in the commercial building industry, government, or local community to join them. Sponsorship opportunities are also available, which will enable greater impact through trees and beautification projects. Sign up for invitations here or e-mail marketing@INTUSwindows.com.
