New York Restoration Project and its MillionTreesNYC initiative, in partnership with JetBlue Airways, New York’s Hometown Airline, has announced the fifth annual One Thing That’s Green tree planting event. Volunteers are invited to celebrate Earth Day weekend and “Color NYC Green” by participating on Saturday, April 21st in Long Island City, Queens (LIC) from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Nearly 100 trees will be planted in the LIC area, including Queensbridge Park, to further beautify this flourishing neighborhood.
Created by JetBlue to promote environmental awareness, the One Thing That’s Green program represents the airline’s commitment to green education and volunteerism. New Yorkers interested in planting trees on April 21st must register in advance at www.jetblue.com/trees. The day-long festivities will take place rain or shine and will be filled with giveaways, complimentary breakfast and lunch and family-fun activities. Those unable to participate on-site can join the 120,000 people who have already committed to maintaining a greener lifestyle by making a pledge at www.jetblue.com/pledge. Participants pledging today will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes for a chance to win two round-trip flights anywhere across the JetBlue network and $500 towards a JetBlue Getaways vacation package every month for a year.
“New York Restoration Project is proud to partner with JetBlue to host this community volunteer day, which will plant nearly 100 trees, as well as clean and beautify the neighborhood,” said Amy Freitag, NYRP Executive Director. “We are thankful for the hard work of volunteers and are excited to contrast Long Island City’s concrete landscape with much needed vibrant greenery.”
MillionTreesNYC is a public-private partnership between NYRP and the NYC Department of Parks Recreation through which one million new trees will be planted and cared for across NYC’s five boroughs by 2017. The trees are then cultivated and maintained, thanks to the help of local community groups that aim to sustain the neighborhood, such as Green Shores NYC, a local coalition caring for the East River shoreline and waterfront parks in Astoria and Long Island City, Queens.
“A lively business area will get even more attractive with a green ribbon of trees that will also help to clean the air and provide shade,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe. “On behalf of Parks, I’d like to thank NYRP for its dedication to planting trees and beautifying the landscape. I’d also like to thank JetBlue for sponsoring this event and all the volunteers who will come out to help greening LIC.”
JetBlue and NYRP are again partnering with local radio stations, including Clear Channel New York’s 106.7 LITE FM, 103.5 KTU and Power 105.1, to further promote the greening of New York City. Z-100’s very own Greg T and Power 105.1’s Judy Torres will be joining volunteers on April 21st by planting and caring for trees. In previous years, trees were planted as part of this effort in East Harlem, Forest Hills and Jamaica, Queens. To support these efforts, more than 1,900 crewmembers and community volunteers have graciously donated their time to plant over 1,200 trees and clean up nearly three tons of trash.
“Spring is blooming and we’re ready to celebrate five years of greening the communities we love and serve with our One Thing That’s Green project,” said Icema Gibbs, director corporate social responsibility, JetBlue Airways. “As New York’s hometown airline, we take seriously our responsibility to make a difference in the environment by getting involved with partners such as New York Restoration Project to ensure that our city remains one of the most vibrant in the world.”
Composed of more than five million trees and 168 species, New York City’s urban forest is one of the most valuable environmental assets along the East Coast, and a critical component of the city’s long-term health and sustainability. MillionTreesNYC works to promote the health, environmental and economic benefits trees provide by hosting tree giveaways, workshops, planting and stewardship events, and launching public service announcements and campaigns to educate New Yorkers on the benefits of planting trees. New Yorkers can visit the program’s site, www.milliontreesnyc.org, to learn more about how they can contribute by planting a tree, adopting a tree, or making a donation to the initiative.
