Image credit: NYC Department of Parks & Recreation.
The TD Green Space Grant is providing the Tree Time Program with $20,000 to support urban greenery programs like planting street-ready trees. On May 27, 2021, the NYC Parks Tree Time Program announced its receipt of a $20,000 TD Green Space Grant to support innovative urban greening and tree planting projects in underserved communities. The grant comes from the TD Bank Group and the Arbor Day Foundation.
The Tree Time Program plans to use the grant to plant ten street-ready trees on the steps of Elmhurst Hospital in Queens. Trees will be planted in O’Connor Playground, O’Connors Tail, and in nearby streets. Volunteers and experienced Department of Parks and Recreation foresters will plant the trees.
To qualify for a grant, municipalities must be located within the TD Bank Group’s operating footprint in the United States and Canada. Priority is given to underserved areas. For municipalities within the United States, preference is given to current Tree City USA communities or those interested in becoming one.
New York City was one of twenty United States and Canadian Cities selected for a grant. The other cities in the United States that were selected include: Burlington, Vermont; East Providence, Rhode Island; Greenville, South Carolina; Hartford, Connecticut; Jacksonville, Florida; Newburgh, New York; New Castle, Delaware; Orlando, Florida; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Queens, New York. The Canadian cities that were selected includes: Conception Bay South, Newfoundland and Labrador; Milton, Ontario; Mississauga, Ontario; Montreal, Quebec; Montreal, Quebec; Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia; New Westminster, British Columbia; Regina, Saskatchewan; Surrey, British Columbia; and Toronto, Ontario.
The TD Bank Group provides the funding which is awarded annually for tree planting, maintenance, and educational activities. The grants are made possible by the TD Ready Commitment, the TD Bank Group’s global corporate citizenship platform. The TD Ready Commitment aims to open doors for a more sustainable and inclusive future.
More information on the grants may be found here.
The Arbor Day Foundation administers the program. The Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to tree planting. The organization has over 1 million members, supporters, and partners. The group aims to use trees to help with global issues like air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty, and hunger.
Shelley Sylva Head of U.S Social Impact at TD Bank stated, “Green spaces provide long-lasting environmental benefits, but they also play a vital role in creating more vibrant, livable cities by providing social, health and economic benefits for individuals and families. TD is proud to work with the Arbor Day Foundation to help create a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow by supporting critical green space programs in New York City.”
Dan Lambe, President, Arbor Day Foundation stated, “Our goal with this grant program is to help communities not only enrich their green spaces but also enrich lives. We are supporting New York City in its effort to build awareness about the benefits of trees, educate residents on proper tree care, and lay the groundwork for a greener future.”
By: Patrick McNeill (Patrick is the CityLaw intern and a New York Law School student, Class of 2022.)