Carter Subaru Plants Forest One Test Drive at a Time

Carter Subaru is offsetting its customers’ carbon footprints with each test drive and planting a forest in the Mountains to Sound Greenway — an iconic 1.5 million acres of connected natural lands in and around the Seattle area.

For every test drive at Carter Subaru, Carter Subaru Ballard, and two additional Carter Motors dealerships, one native tree is planted. For every car sold by Carter, three more trees are planted, for a total of four.

Why four trees? Because four trees that live a lifespan of about 75 years will absorb the approximate amount of carbon dioxide produced by the average car each year.

One by one, the trees are adding up. Since the partnership with Mountains to Sound Greenway began in 2008, more than 200,000 Carter Motors trees have been planted at annual volunteer events. These native trees improve air quality, reduce greenhouse gases, and enhance recreational green spaces. The 200,000 trees are equivalent to $2 million in donations.
 

"No other organization has made this significant level of contribution to the Greenway, and we are all truly indebted to Carter Subaru for their vision and support,” said Jon Hoekstra, executive director, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

Carter Subaru’s commitment extends beyond the financial. They’ve grown not just a forest but also a community of people who care for their natural environment. Its associates and customers have volunteered more than 1,700 hours to remove invasive species and plant trees. This combination of habitat protection and community engagement is one of the reasons that the Mountains to Sound Greenway was recently designated as a National Heritage Area, ensuring a legacy that will enrich the environment and community for generations.
 

Learn more about Carter’s partnership with the Mountains to Sound Greenway here or in the video above.