American Water Works : Sunrise Recreation and Park District, California American Water, and Fruit Tree Planting Foundation Join Forces to Plant Trees at Historic Rusch Home and Gardens

California American Water in partnership with The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and the Sunrise Parks and Recreation Department, will be planting 20 fruit trees at the Historic Rusch Home and Gardens on Friday, March 27, 2015 at 10:00 a.m.

The fruit trees, which are typical of those brought by California settlers in the 1800s and early 1900s, were donated by the American Water Charitable Foundation and The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation. To ensure the planting is drought friendly, volunteers will be implementing water efficient methods, including deep root irrigation to water the plants and mulching to prevent evaporation.

“I am proud of our partnership with The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation and the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District to plant these trees,” said S. Audie Foster, California American Water’s Director of Operations for Northern California. “These fruit trees will not only enhance the Historic Rusch Home, but will educate people about environmentally responsible ways to water your plants.”

During the ceremony, representatives from Sunrise Recreation and Parks District, California American Water and The Fruit Tree Planting Foundation will be joined by Citrus Heights Mayor Sue Frost, Vice Mayor Jeanie Bruins and other local elected. Kids from the Rusch Preschool program will be assisting in planting the trees.

“Sunrise Recreation and Park District is excited to include these fruit trees as well as drought friendly techniques to our growing garden,” said Dave Mitchell, the general manager for Sunrise Recreation and Park District. “The Historic Rusch Home shows us where we came from and helps us understand where we are going.”

The event will also have an educational component where the preschool students will learn about plants and home orchards.

California American Water, a subsidiary of American Water (NYSE: AWK), provides high quality and reliable water and/or wastewater service to approximately 600,000 people.

Founded in 1886, American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest and most geographically diverse publicly traded U.S. water and wastewater utility company. With headquarters in Voorhees, N.J., the company employs approximately 6,400 dedicated professionals who provide drinking water, wastewater and other related services to an estimated 15 million people in more than 45 states and parts of Canada. More information can be found at www.amwater.com.