Due to COVID-19 concerns, Stanford was not allowed to have fans in the stadium for much of the football season this fall, leaving a huge void to be filled. That’s when Stanford Athletics decided to partner with Lowe’s to create a “home-forest” advantage by staging approximately 470 trees in Stanford Stadium. For the season-long Tree House Program, Lowe's donated drought-resistant, locally sourced, native trees to cheer on the Cardinal.

As we all know, the season was cut even further when Santa Clara County prohibited team sports from operating due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases. However, the creative program still served as an opportunity to highlight the school’s rich history and tradition, foster a one-of-a-kind game day atmosphere and make a positive impact on neighboring communities and the environment.

The approximately 470 trees will be replanted in Bay Area communities. Local city public works departments and other nonprofits will replant the trees to grow urban forest canopy, address climate change and create healthier communities that are greener and more resilient.

Each tree sequesters approximately 5,000 lbs. of carbon dioxide over its lifetime. All together, these 470 trees planted in the Bay Area will sequester over 1,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide—that's equivalent to driving 2.5 million miles! This is enough to offset 39 percent of the annual travel emissions of Stanford's student-athletes.

Stanford Athletics worked with several organizations, including the City of Menlo Park, who will be receiving the trees for planting in 2021.