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 -- recently
announced that Toyota has become a supporter in its mission to improve
New York City's environment. In a three-year $1.4-million sponsorship
with MillionTreesNYC, Toyota will support tree planting, public
education and community outreach activities aimed at getting every New
Yorker involved in tree planting and stewardship activities. Toyota
joined with The Home Depot Foundation as a lead sponsor of the
initiative and BNP Paribas as presenting sponsors of MillionTreesNYC
Month.
"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."
Through
a mix of public and private plantings, MillionTreesNYC - part of of
Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC - claims it will expand New York City's urban
forest by 20%. The trees will provide New York residents such positive
benefits as more beautiful neighborhoods and parks; cleaner air and
water; higher property values; energy savings; cooler summer streets,
yards, and public open spaces; and help create a healthier, more
environmentally sustainable city. MillionTreesNYC partners and citizen
volunteers will plant the trees in places such as schoolyards and
playgrounds, public housing campuses, business districts, commercial
and residential developments, front yards, and other private lands.
"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 is
just one piece of Toyota's ongoing mission to support sustainable
initiatives, particularly in communities where the company operates.
"We are so proud to be a part of Million Trees NYC, 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 last
month's MillionTreesNYC Month (April 2008), MillionTreesNYC launched a
campaign encouraging 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 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.
You can find out more about the MillionTreesNYC program at http://www.nyc.gov/parks.
Jody DeVere
President
www.askpatty.com
www.carblabber.com
be green
