During this preseason, while the Lakers players are in the gym working hard to defend their 2008-09 NBA Championship, the Lakers Youth Foundation is also working hard . . . to defend our environment. On Monday, October 12th Andrew Bynum, Sasha Vujacic, Lakers and D-Fenders employees teamed up with TREE MUSKETEERS, the El Segundo High School Interact Club and the Kayne Eras Center to plant and care for trees on "Millennium Row". "Millennium Row" is a stretch of trees planted in 2000 on Grand Avenue in El Segundo, home of the Lakers training facility. The Lakers Youth Foundation also made a $1,500 donation to Tree Musketeers in support of future tree planting and maintenance projects.

The tree planting event was the first Lakers Team Up event, designed to encourage Los Angeles residents of all ages to volunteer in their community and engage in service projects. The Lakers aren't alone in their efforts to improve their community. Prior to the start of the season, the NBA and all 30 teams will be participating in service projects in their market cities as part of the league's NBA Cares Week of Service initiative.

Founded in 1987 by third-graders as the nation's first youth environmental organization, TREE MUSKETEERS continues to operate as a nonprofit where kids are the boss. With a mission to empower young people to be environmental leaders, kids teach other kids to be active citizens, community leaders and Earth advocates. While headquartered and most active in the South Bay, TREE MUSKETEERS' program reach is worldwide with more than a million youth having planted over a million trees.