Apr 25 2008
MillionTreesNYC, a public-private partnership between the New York City Department of Parks + Recreation and New York Restoration Project (NYRP) to plant and care for one million new trees in New York City by 2017 today announced a new supporter in its mission to improve New York City's environment. Toyota has signed a three-year $1.4 million sponsorship with MillionTreesNYC that will support tree planting, public education and community outreach activities -- all aimed at getting every New Yorker involved in tree planting and stewardship activities.
Through a mix of public and private plantings, MillionTreesNYC, an important initiative of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC, will expand New York City's urban forest by 20%. All New Yorkers will share in the many benefits that come from planting trees -- more beautiful neighborhoods and parks; cleaner air and water; higher property values; energy savings; cooler summer streets, yards, and public open spaces; and a healthier, more environmentally sustainable City. MillionTreesNYC partners and citizen volunteers are planting in places such as schoolyards and playgrounds, public housing campuses, business districts, commercial and residential developments, front yards and other private lands.
"Toyota has responded loud and clear to the MillionTreesNYC call to action," said Parks & Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. "Their generous sponsorship to help plant and care for one million new trees in New York City over the next decade will contribute to the tangible 'greening' of our urban landscape in historic proportions. Toyota's generous financial contribution also sets a strong example of how businesses and corporations can help make New York City a healthier place for all to live."
"With the support and leadership of corporations like Toyota who are putting environmental initiatives at the forefront, we can truly change the landscape of this City and our planet," said Drew Becher, Executive Director of New York Restoration Project. "MillionTreesNYC is honored to have Toyota's ongoing support for our campaign."
Toyota has been a long-time supporter of environmental and tree-planting initiatives across the country. MillionTreesNYC will further Toyota's mission to support sustainable initiatives, particularly in communities where they operate. Toyota joins The Home Depot Foundation as a lead sponsor of the MillionTreesNYC initiative and BNP Paribas as presenting sponsor of MillionTreesNYC Month.
"We are so proud to be a part of MillionTreesNYC, because we know that trees are one of the most sustainable solutions for our environment," said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America. "This initiative will bring lasting results that will help our environment for years and years to come."
During MillionTreesNYC Month this April 2008, MillionTreesNYC launched a campaign encouraging all New Yorkers to "think globally and plant locally" enlisting community, corporate and youth volunteers from all five boroughs to roll up their sleeves and plant trees. Throughout the month, Parks, NYRP, and MillionTreesNYC partners have hosted free citywide events for the public including tree education seminars, tree stewardship workshops, tree pruning instructional courses, Urban Park Ranger tree identification hikes, and large scale volunteer tree plantings.
There are many ways to get involved in MillionTreesNYC:
- Plant a tree in your yard;
- Join a volunteer group planting trees in parks and on public land;
- Request that the City plant street trees on your block;
- Learn how to water, mulch, and prune trees;
- Educate other New Yorkers on the importance of our urban forest; and
- Become an advocate for trees.