Blue Shield employees plant trees at Arrowhead Marsh in Oakland

Last week, a team of more than 70 volunteers from Blue Shield of California joined forces with Keep Oakland Beautiful and the Oakland Parks and Recreation Foundation at the Martin Luther King Jr. Regional Shoreline in Oakland. The group planted 85 trees as part of the Community Greening Program, which aims to plant 2,000 trees in East Oakland within three years.

“Today’s tree planting is about more than just adding greenery to the landscape. It’s about Blue Shield’s commitment to improving our Oakland community, where our company is headquartered, while promoting health equity and environmental sustainability,” said Ricquel Jackson, a Blue Shield employee, Keep Oakland Beautiful board member, and proud Oakland resident. “Trees are healthcare. They help improve mental and physical health, combat climate change and pollution, and build community.”

The tree planting event took place near Arrowhead Marsh, a site known for its natural beauty and ecological importance. Volunteers spent the morning digging, planting, and making sure each tree was safely in place.

“One of the reasons I joined Blue Shield is because of the company’s strong commitment to creating a more sustainable and climate-resilient healthcare system,” said Mike Tonsing, senior director of product strategy at Blue Shield and a member of the company’s Blue Goes Green volunteer initiative. “I’m truly proud to be part of this group of Blue Shield colleagues who are so committed to making a difference. We are taking actions that reinforce that healthy communities and a healthy environment go hand in hand.”

Antoinette Mayer, vice president of corporate citizenship at Blue Shield of California, echoes these sentiments, saying, “This event is just one example of how Blue Shield of California is actively contributing to local communities and addressing larger environmental issues. We have committed to several sustainability initiatives aimed at reducing our carbon footprint, promoting environmental health and building resilient communities. By partnering with community-based organizations like Keep Oakland Beautiful, we are building a better future for Oakland and beyond.”

For more information about Blue Shield of California’s sustainability efforts and the impacts of our environmental programs, please see our factsheet, “Climate Protection Is Health Protection.”