North Hempstead, NY – North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth and Councilwoman Viviana Russell welcomed officials and employees from TD Bank to New Cassel today for an Arbor Day celebration, as the Town was announced as a winner of TD Green Streets, a grant program from TD Bank, America’s Most Convenient Bank®, and the Arbor Day Foundation. The $20,000 grant will fund projects throughout the Town, including increasing the tree canopy of New Cassel and hosting tree planting trainings for the community.

North Hempstead officials and the Town’s tree planting crew kicked off the project today along with more than 50 students from Park Avenue elementary school by planting trees at Swalm Park in New Cassel.

“Trees create a welcoming and healthy environment in our Town and its vital that we not only care for the trees we have, but also plant new ones for the future, said Supervisor Bosworth. “The TD Green Streets grant will allow us to involve residents as active partners in the Town’s tree plantings efforts right in their local communities.”

The Town was also recognized today as a “Tree City USA” by the Arbor Day Foundation for having a viable tree management plan and program.

“Planting and preserving trees has great environmental benefits, as well as adding aesthetic value to a community,” Councilwoman Russell said. “I look forward to working with TD Bank as we identify more areas in New Cassel that are in need of trees.”

Along with TD’s flagship volunteer program, TD Tree Days, TD Green Streets is a component of TD Forests, a North American initiative that helps protect critical forest habitats equal to the amount of paper the bank uses each year. Together, these programs underscore the bank’s commitment to forest protection and stewardship, and are a direct investment in the health of our urban tree canopy.

“TD is excited to award TD Green Streets grants to these exemplary municipalities for their commitment to expanding local urban forestry projects,” said Diana Glassman, Head of Environmental Affairs for TD Bank. “The ongoing partnership with Arbor Day Foundation aligns with our environmental commitment to help strengthen and sustain the communities where we live and work. Together, we can make a long-term, sustainable difference.”

Along with the Town of North Hempstead, the following municipalities were awarded TD Green Streets grants in 2014:

• Bronx, NY
• Charleston, SC
• Chelsea, MA
• Easton, PA
• Hartford, CT
• Hoboken, NJ
• Miami, FL
• Tampa, FL
• Worcester, MA

To be eligible for a TD Green Streets grant, qualified municipalities were required to be current Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA®-designated communities within TD Bank’s United States footprint. Tree City USA® is the nation’s premier urban and community forestry program, providing a foundation for effective, well-organized community tree care.

For more information on how to get involved in the tree-planting effort in your community, please call 311 in the Town of North Hempstead or 516-869-6311.
 
From left, Park Avenue Elementary School Assistant Principal Michelle Peterson, Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth, Councilwoman Viviana Russell and Stella Peretz-Cook, Vice President of Retail Marketing for TD Bank



From left, Tom Devaney, Grants Coordinator; Stella Peretz-Cook, Vice President of Retail Marketing for TD Bank; Councilwoman Viviana Russell; Park Avenue Elementary School Assistant Principal Michelle Peterson and Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth with students from Park Avenue Elementary as they hold up the ‘Tree City USA’ sign courtesy of the Arbor Day Foundation.



The Town is presented a plaque from TD Bank for being named a recipient of the TD Green Streets Award.



From left, Councilwoman Viviana Russell and Supervisor Judi Bosworth help plant a tree.



Students from Park Avenue Elementary School help plant a tree.