Urban forestry projects take root across Canada

TD Green Streets grants to benefit 21 communities

TORONTO, March 21, 2012 /CNW/ - Today, World Forestry Day, TD Green Streets has announced the 21 Canadian communities that will receive TD Green Streets grants in 2012. Grants will be used to green local communities through tree planting, inventory, maintenance and educational activities and are awarded for innovative approaches to municipal forestry.

The TD Green Streets program awards funding to projects in Canadian municipalities and Aboriginal communities, as well as to Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. A joint initiative between TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and Tree Canada, it is the only nationally based municipal forestry innovation program.  Since 1994, the program has awarded funding to more than 475 communities, improving municipal green spaces and diversifying urban canopies.

"TD Friends of the Environment Foundation is committed to protecting the environment and helping to plant trees throughout the country. We're proud to help nurture these innovative, exciting urban forestry projects through TD Green Streets," said Executive Director Mary Desjardins.

TD Green Streets grants will make a positive impact with a wide variety of projects that will benefit communities from coast-to-coast:

• Ontario's most powerful tornado in years destroyed many of the beloved trees in Goderich, ON, in 2011; TD Green Streets will replace the trees in the popular tourist town known for its historic charm.
  
  
• In Vancouver, BC, the project will literally bear fruit as the Vancouver BIA partners with neighbourhoods to plant more than 200 communal fruit trees. The trees, once mature, will contribute to the city's natural beauty and support food security.
  
  
• Banff, AB, a community known for its natural beauty, will replace trees damaged by deer, elk and the ongoing pine beetle infestation.
  
  
• Swift Current, SK, will plant tree buffers in open spaces and along highways to reduce soil erosion.
  
  
• Charlottetown, PE, will establish a tree nursery and engage in educational outreach to promote awareness of reforestation as it relates to the city's water source.

Canadians understand the need for healthy and vital urban landscapes and the value that trees bring to their communities. This year's grant recipients demonstrate a true commitment to maintaining and enhancing daily life through innovative tree inventory, planting, maintenance and educational projects," said Tree Canada President Mike Rosen.

2012 TD Green Streets recipients:

• Tofino, British Columbia
• Vancouver BIA, British Columbia
• Coquitlam, British Columbia
• Regional District of Central Okanagan, British Columbia
• Penticton, British Columbia
• Banff, Alberta
• Edmonton, Alberta
• Swift Current, Saskatchewan
• Thunder Bay, Ontario
• Town of Saugeen Shores, Ontario
• Goderich, Ontario
• Milton, Ontario
• Oshawa, Ontario
• Carleton Place, Ontario
• Parkdale Village BIA, Toronto, Ontario
• Mississauga, Ontario
• Wendake, Quebec
• Arrondissement de Saint-Laurent, Quebec
• Saint-Leonard, Quebec
• Dieppe, New Brunswick
• Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

The recipients were selected by a panel of judges made up of representatives from Tree Canada, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and urban forest practitioners.

For more information on TD Green Streets, please visit www.tdgreenstreets.ca.

About Tree Canada:
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit charitable organization that works with sponsors, donors and communities to plant and care for rural and urban trees, promotes urban forests in Canada and facilitates carbon offset projects with trees. To date, more than 77 million trees have been planted, more than 450 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has organized 9 national urban forest conferences. More information about Tree Canada is available at www.treecanada.ca.

About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation:
Since 1990, TD FEF has provided more than $57 million in funding to more than 20,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2011, TD FEF provided more than $3.6 million in support of 1,058 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Group contributes in excess of $1 million annually. TD also covers the management costs of running TD FEF, which guarantees 100 per cent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information on how to donate and get involved in your community, visit www.tdfef.com.

For further information or to arrange an interview please contact:

Megan Hooper
TD
416-982-4725
[e-mail]