New York Tree Recovery Campaign to Distribute 1,000 Trees on Opening Day
Earth Day is the perfect time to announce an exciting partnership that will bring 1,000 new trees to Rochester. The New York Tree Recovery Campaign – a partnership between the Arbor Day Foundation, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and the City of Rochester – will distribute 1,000 free new trees to Monroe County residents on Friday, opening day of the Rochester Lilac Festival. The new trees will help replace the thousands of area ash trees damaged and destroyed by the Emerald Ash Borer and also make a perfect Mother’s Day gift.
The City of Rochester’s Forestry Department has chosen the ten varieties of tree that will be available which includes: Bald Cypress, Redbud, Pin Oak, Red Maple, River Birch, Sawtooth Oak, Swamp Oak, Sweetgum, American Sycamore, and White Oak. The free trees will be distributed on a first come, first served basis in front of the Farmers Insurance Special Events Tent while supplies last. Limit of one tree per-person.
Media availability — Friday, April 22 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Pansy Beds in Highland Park. Representatives from City Forestry, Monroe County Parks, and the Festival Producer will be onsite for interviews.
Tree Giveaway Details
The tree giveaway will take place opening day of the Festival on Friday, May 6 from 12:30 p.m. until trees are gone. Representatives from the National Arbor Day Foundation and the City of Rochester Forestry Department will be onsite for media interviews.
About the National Campaign
Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Tree Recovery, a national program underwritten by FedEx and foundation members, aims to replace trees in communities affected by natural disasters throughout the United States. The program assisted more than 200 communities in planting or distributing more than 2.8 million trees since its inception in 2012.
“Trees are assets to a community when properly planted and maintained,” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation. “They help to improve the visual appeal of a neighborhood or shopping district, increase property values, reduce home cooling costs, remove air pollutants, and provide wildlife habitat, among many other benefits.”
The tree giveaway was made possible by a generous contribution from the New York Tree Recovery Campaign signature sponsor Bayer Advanced. To donate to the recovery efforts supported by this campaign or other across the country please visit www.arborday.org/recovery. With your help, we can begin to restore this nations beautiful landscapes, including your local state of New York.
About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a million member nonprofit conservation and education organization with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.