Introduces new tree planting model and tree campaign partners
Philadelphia, April 24, 2010-Today Mayor Michael A. Nutter, Parks and Recreation Commissioner Michael DiBerardinis and Pennsylvania Horticultural Society President-elect Drew Becher kicked-off the first phase of Philadelphia’s comprehensive tree-planting campaign in the city’s Francisville neighborhood. Mayor Nutter, in his sustainability plan Greenworks Philadelphia, set a goal of planting 300,000 new trees in the city by 2015. The increased tree canopy will bring a multitude of benefits: decreased air pollution; reduce stormwater runoff, promote energy savings, increased property values; help reduce harmful carbon dioxide, and an overall improvement of quality of life in the city.
To accomplish its goal, the city will increase its tree planting activities, strategically partner with corporate citizens, local non-profit organizations, and institutions, and seek new places to plant trees. The new Department of Parks and Recreation, led by Commissioner DiBerardinis, will organize and implement a tree-planting campaign to advance this tree work and promote a premiere Parks and Recreation system, which is safe, clean, ready to use, and green. The Parks and Recreation Department will announce details of other exciting institutional and corporate partnerships prior to the fall launch.
As part of the new tree planting model, the University of Pennsylvania has signed on as one of the first institutional partners. Currently, the University is home to approximately 7,400 trees and 280 acres of green space. The partnership will seek to actively engage Penn students, faculty, staff, and alumni to help promote trees and stewardship not only on campus but throughout the entire City.
Mayor Nutter applauded the University of Pennsylvania’s commitment to planting trees saying: “Each year Penn plants and maintains hundreds of trees which are enjoyed by students, faculty, staff, and the overall community. Penn is already a leader when it comes to promoting environmental sustainability and we are very excited to have them on board as an early partner,” remarked Mayor Nutter.
“This kick-off event with Francisville exemplifies the ‘new tree planting model’ which leverages community partnerships to increase the number of trees planted,” said Mayor Nutter. “With the help of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, corporate citizens, local non-profit organizations, and other institutions, I have no doubt that Philadelphia will become the greenest big city in America.”
“We can achieve our tree planting goals by coming together in new ways to advance this work and a premier parks and recreation system, which is safe, clean, ready to use, and green,” said Commissioner DiBerardinis.
The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society will play a key role in the city reaching its tree goals. Community groups trained by the PHS Tree Tenders program are planting 1,000 trees in neighborhoods throughout the city this month, including 47 trees in Francisville. These plantings are being led by PHS with a $1.65 million grant through Pennvest, the Pennsylvania Infrastructure Investment Authority, with funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. PHS will plant a total of approximately 8,000 trees in Southeastern Pennsylvania through this grant.
“PHS is privileged to be a partner in the city’s tree-planting campaign,” Becher said. “This effort is about the future of Philadelphia – a place where everyone has access to green space and a healthy environment. It will take the participation of all of us to make it happen, and PHS will be there every step of the way.”
