These grants will support green infrastructure development, tree planting, forestry stewardship, and community green space expansion to advance environmental and economic benefits that help work toward a low-carbon economy
LINCOLN, Neb. and TORONTO, April 15, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- TD Bank Group (TD) and the Arbor Day Foundation today announced the 2022 grant recipients of the TD Green Space Grants program. The program will provide a total of US $400,000 to support 20 organizations that are helping to deliver environmental equity within their communities.
The pandemic and the climate crisis have exacerbated existing inequities, including severe disparities in green space access and tree canopy between affluent and low-to-moderate income areas. As temperatures continue to rise, members of economically marginalized communities have been more restricted in their ability to safely seek refuge in green spaces.
"Green spaces are the foundation of the communities where we work, live and play," says Janice Farrell Jones, Senior Vice President – Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. "We're so proud to continue this important work with the Arbor Day Foundation to help expand equal access to green spaces and increase tree canopies in underserved communities. By focusing and investing in more equitable access to green spaces, we're working to create more resilient, inclusive and sustainable urban areas."
"We continue to see disparities in canopy and green space access across communities that can be alleviated through trees." said Dan Lambe, CEO of the Arbor Day Foundation. "It is critical to ensure that all people, regardless of age, race, ability, or income level, can access their benefits. Our work with TD through the Green Space Grant helps to make that a reality."
The following twenty cities in the United States and Canada will each receive a TD Green Space Grant of $20,000 USD:
United States:
- Baltimore, Maryland
- Passadumkeag, Maine
- Jacksonville, Florida
- Providence, Rhode Island
- Brooklyn, New York
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (2)
- Bronx, New York
- Miami, Florida
- Washington D.C.
- Hackensack, New Jersey
Canada:
- Edmonton, Alberta
- Halifax, Nova Scotia
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- Winnipeg, Manitoba
- Petty Harbour Maddox Cove, Newfoundland & Labrador
- Lachine, Quebec
- Peterborough, Ontario
- Vaughan, Ontario
- Milton, Ontario
TD provides funding for these grants, which are awarded annually, and the Arbor Day Foundation administers the program. TD Green Space Grants are part of the TD Ready Commitment, the Bank's global corporate citizenship platform. Established in 2019, the program has served 63 communities through 82 planting projects. These projects have collectively planted or distributed over 11,000 trees or shrubs and engaged nearly 4,000 community members.
This year, funding will be granted to 20 municipalities that are driving programs aligned to the theme TD Green Space: Supporting communities delivering environmentally equitable solutions. To be eligible for a grant, qualified municipalities had to be located within TD's operating footprint in the United States and Canada. Priority was given to projects occurring in underserved areas of local communities. For communities applying within the United States, preference was given to currently recognized Tree City USA® communities or those who expressed interest in becoming a Tree City USA community over the next calendar year.
For more information, visit arborday.org/programs/tdgreenspacegrants.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than 1 million members, supporters, and valued partners. Since 1972, almost 500 million Arbor Day Foundation trees have been planted in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival.
As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation, through its members, partners and programs, educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.
About the TD Ready Commitment
TD has a long-standing commitment to enriching the lives of its customers, colleagues and communities. As part of its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, TD is targeting CDN $1 billion (US $750 million*) in total by 2030 towards community giving in four areas critical to opening doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow – Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. Through the TD Ready Commitment, the bank aspires to link its business, philanthropy and human capital to help people feel more confident - not just about their finances, but also in their ability to achieve their personal goals in a changing world. For further information, visit http://www.td.com/tdreadycommitment.
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Media Contact
Jeff Salem, Arbor Day Foundation, 402-473-2024, [email protected]
SOURCE Arbor Day Foundation
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