Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Supports Advancing Tree Equity in Chicago in Celebration of Earth Month

Chicago, IL – April 15, 2025 – In celebration of Earth Month, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey continued its commitment to combat environmental inequality by expanding its Tree Equity initiative to the Chicago area with a successful community tree planting in McCollum Park in Downers Grove.

In collaboration with American Forests, the Chicago Region Trees Initiative (CRTI), the Downers Grove Park District, and SEASPAR, Bulleit planted 20 trees to help increase green space and promote climate resilience in an area that lacks equitable tree cover.

According to American Forests, under-resourced communities often face limited access to the benefits that tree canopy provides—such as heat-reducing shade, improved air quality, and climate resiliency. This initiative brings Earth Month’s mission to life by addressing those disparities and fostering greener, healthier communities.

The day’s efforts were made even more meaningful thanks to the participation of SEASPAR’s EAGLES adult day program, whose members took a hands-on role in planting trees and engaging in long-term stewardship—building a deeper connection between the community and the environment.

Bulleit’s sustainability commitment began in 2020 with a pledge to plant one million White Oak trees, a goal it achieved three years ahead of schedule. Now, Bulleit is expanding its impact with plans to plant 2.5 million trees by 2026, helping to remove 74,000 pounds of air pollutants and conserve more than 75 million gallons of water in the process.

Since 2022, Bulleit and American Forests have brought their Tree Equity mission to life with plantings in Houston, Detroit, NYC, Tacoma, and now Chicago—each one a step toward a more equitable, sustainable future.

About Bulleit Frontier Whiskey

Bulleit, founded in 1987, is one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America. The brand attributes that growth to bartenders and cultural partners who have adopted it as their own. The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey portfolio is distilled and aged in the Bulleit family tradition, using a distinctive high rye recipe, which gives them a bold, spicy, yet distinctively smooth taste. The award-winning Kentucky whiskey most recently won a Double Gold medal for Bulleit 12-Year Old and a Gold Medal for Bulleit American Single Malt at the 2024 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2017, Bulleit celebrated its 30th anniversary with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art distillery located in Shelbyville, KY. Constructed with a focus on sustainable practices including natural habitat protection, water conservation and local ingredient sourcing. In 2019, a Visitor's Centre at the Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville opened to share our modern, technological, and sustainable approach to making great whiskey. In 2021, Diageo opened its first carbon-neutral whiskey distillery in Lebanon, KY with Bulleit being the first and leading brand being produced at the site. supplementing existing production at the Bulleit Distilling Co.

About Diageo

DIAGEO is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, Bulleit and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Cîroc and Ketel One vodkas, Casamigos, DeLeon and Don Julio tequilas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Tanqueray and Guinness.

DIAGEO is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. For more information about DIAGEO, our people, our brands, and performance, visit Diageo. Visit DIAGEO's global responsible drinking resource, DRINKiQ, for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Follow us on Instagram for news and information about DIAGEO North America: @Diageo_NA. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

About American Forests

American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States. They create healthy and resilient forests, from cities to wilderness, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. They advance their mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships and movement building to plant and restore forests.

About Chicago Region Trees Initiative

The Chicago Region Trees Initiative is The Morton Arboretum’s urban and community forestry program, working to improve people’s lives by supporting the health, diversity, and equitable distribution of trees in the Chicago region and throughout Illinois.

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