NEW YORK—En route to one million new trees in New York City, actress Bette Midler and Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg planted the 250,000th tree on Monday to commemorate the two-year anniversary of the MillionTreesNYC campaign.
In just two years, the campaign started by Midler’s New York Restoration Project (NYRP) has managed to surpass its projected timeline by completing a quarter of its agenda in only one-fifth of the time allotted. To continue this momentum, efforts are being made throughout the state to gain more participants.
The 250,000th tree was a Southern Magnolia tree planted in St. Albans, Queens at the home of Sharon and Thomas Stoney.
“In every area of government, we not only set ambitious goals—we work to meet them ahead of the schedule. We still have a long way to go with the million-tree mark, but the amount of progress we’ve made says a lot about how New Yorkers have embraced this project,” said Mayor Bloomberg.
Midler stated, “I’m over whelmed that we are planting our 250,000th tree. It just proves once again that New Yorkers are the strongest, toughest, and most caring people in the world.”
New York City homeowners are being encouraged to pitch in to the effort by planting a tree on their properties before the winter comes. Those who rent homes are also being advised to contact their landlords if they are interested in being a part of the program. Well-groomed trees are known to increase property value and are good for local ecological systems.
“Trees are assets to communities, and by putting down roots in their yards, homeowners can improve their neighborhoods by cleaning the air, lowering the summer air temperatures, improving air quality,” said New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
For more information on free trees and tree planting visit www.nyc.gov or call 311 or visit the official MillionTreesNYC Web site www.milliontreesnyc.org.
In just two years, the campaign started by Midler’s New York Restoration Project (NYRP) has managed to surpass its projected timeline by completing a quarter of its agenda in only one-fifth of the time allotted. To continue this momentum, efforts are being made throughout the state to gain more participants.
The 250,000th tree was a Southern Magnolia tree planted in St. Albans, Queens at the home of Sharon and Thomas Stoney.
“In every area of government, we not only set ambitious goals—we work to meet them ahead of the schedule. We still have a long way to go with the million-tree mark, but the amount of progress we’ve made says a lot about how New Yorkers have embraced this project,” said Mayor Bloomberg.
Midler stated, “I’m over whelmed that we are planting our 250,000th tree. It just proves once again that New Yorkers are the strongest, toughest, and most caring people in the world.”
New York City homeowners are being encouraged to pitch in to the effort by planting a tree on their properties before the winter comes. Those who rent homes are also being advised to contact their landlords if they are interested in being a part of the program. Well-groomed trees are known to increase property value and are good for local ecological systems.
“Trees are assets to communities, and by putting down roots in their yards, homeowners can improve their neighborhoods by cleaning the air, lowering the summer air temperatures, improving air quality,” said New York City Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe.
For more information on free trees and tree planting visit www.nyc.gov or call 311 or visit the official MillionTreesNYC Web site www.milliontreesnyc.org.
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