In an unusual blend of football and forestry, Salt River Project (SRP) has pledged to plant 5,800 trees in fire-ravaged forests to celebrate the Arizona Cardinals’ franchise record-breaking 58 touchdowns during the regular football season — with additional matched backing from SRP customers.

For every touchdown scored over the past three years, SRP has funded 100 Ponderosa pine trees through its innovative Trees for Change program. Utility customers opted to support the initiative by donating $3 or more to each monthly bill, with one tree designated for every dollar. Additionally, SRP provides matching funds up to $160,000. More than 4,000 SRP customers have signed up for the program since 2009.

“The Trees for Change program is a great way for our customers to join SRP in revitalizing the forests and habitats for native wildlife,” SRP Director of Emerging Customer Programs for Solar, Sustainability and Telecom Lori Singleton said. “And thanks to the Cardinals’ winning season, there’s another reason to cheer. The efforts of our team and customers will restore and protect the watershed that provides water for valley residents.”

Arizona’s forests have taken a beating with rising wildfire frequency. In the past six years, more than 868,000 trees have been planted nationwide through a partnership with the National Forest Foundation; and SRP and its customers have collaboratively found a way to restore the land in Arizona, one tree at a time.