Throughout this week, more than 6,200 Publix associates across the company’s seven-state operating area will be volunteering at more than 220 state parks and other nonprofit organizations focused on environmental sustainability.
Launched in 2015, Publix Serves is one of the grocer’s community programs uniting its more than 230,000 associates in community service efforts.
“Our spring Publix Serves initiative focuses on extending our commitment to preserve and protect the environment by volunteering with nonprofit organizations,” said Publix CEO Todd Jones, in a statement. “Through the support of our associates, we continue to build on Publix’s decades-long commitment to care for our natural resources, while doing good together.”
During the week, associates are working with organizations like Keep America Beautiful affiliates, Brevard Zoo, Jacksonville Arboretum & Botanical Gardens, and state parks to clean up waterways and trails, remove invasive plants, and complete repairs.
“We’re thrilled to work alongside Publix associates during the Publix Serves environmental week,” said Shawn Hamilton, Department of Environmental Protection secretary in a statement, whose agency oversees Florida’s state parks. “This effort, combined with our nearly 4,500 volunteers, is vital to our mission of preserving and restoring natural and cultural resources.”
Publix continues to look for ways to reduce waste and protect natural resources. The company’s most recent efforts focus on long-term collaborations to support freshwater restoration in the state of Florida.
Since 2016, Publix has supported the Arbor Day Foundation in planting 731,000 trees in four damaged Florida watersheds. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, over the next 50 years, these trees are estimated to reduce rainwater runoff by intercepting more than 66 billion gallons of rainfall. When runoff is reduced, more water soaks into the ground and, ultimately, into the aquifers supplying Florida residents with clean drinking water. Additionally, the trees are estimated to absorb more than 467,000 metric tons of net carbon dioxide during the same period.
In 2021, Publix donated funds to remove invasive trees and plants from portions of the Florida Everglades. These non-native trees and plants disrupt Florida’s natural water cycle by using standing water from rainfall before it can seep into the underground aquifers that provide 8 million South Florida residents with their daily supply of drinking water.
A portion of the $2 million donation is being used by the National Audubon Society for a five-year project to remove invasive willows and other plants from approximately 500 acres in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in the western Everglades.
The National Park Foundation is using its portion of the donation on a three-year effort to remove and control invasive Australian pine trees in approximately 500 acres of the saline glades region in the eastern portion of Everglades National Park.
Related: Publix Lands on Forbes’ Best Large Employers List; Meijer Engages Team Members in Philanthropic Program.