Markham Trees for Tomorrow Partners with TD Friends of the Environment Foundation
MARKHAM, ON ~ (May 9, 2008)The Markham Trees for Tomorrow program is putting down roots – thousands of roots - with the help of community partner TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
The TD Friends of the Environment Foundation stepped forward to give Markham $50,000 for its recently announced Trees for Tomorrow program. These funds will be used to purchase trees for the Milliken Mills Ministry of the Environment Demonstration Pond. A community celebration, and first planting of the trees, will take place Saturday May 10 at the Milliken Mills demonstration pond involving Markham Councillors, residents, TD and TD Friends of the Environment Foundation staff members.
“One of my first commitments when I took office was to dramatically increase tree cover in Markham during the next few years,” said Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “The Trees for Tomorrow plan calls for the addition of more than 75,000 trees in Markham by the end of 2010 and I am thrilled that the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation has stepped forward to help with our commitment.”
“We’re very pleased to be able to support the Trees for Tomorrow program. Funding for the Foundation comes from the community where the donation is made and I think this is a wonderful improvement to the Markham environment that donors will be pleased with,” said Roger St. Louis, Regional Manager TD Friends of the Environment Foundation.
“Thank you TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. We welcome you as a long-term partner who will work with us to ensure a future of cleaner air, increased green cover and enhanced natural beauty in Markham,” added Mayor Scarpitti.
The students from Cedarwood Public School are involved in the May 10 planting, and they’ve also made a long term commitment to the program. They’re adopting the pond – working to keep it clean and nurture its development. Cedarwood students are an environmentally active bunch. The participate in the 20-Minute Markham Makeover each April, pick up litter though the Pitch-In program, and planted 207 trees at their school on Earth Day this year. The pond also figures into their academic studies with students conducting science experiments there.
“We want all of Markham to take an active role in helping us reach – or even exceed – our goal of planting one tree for every Markham household,” said Mayor Scarpitti. “It’s through support of our community, our young people, our corporate partners that this will happen. We’re going to put down roots and make sure that every time you plant a tree, Markham breathes a little easier,” said the Mayor.
Background:
The goal of Markham Trees for Tomorrow, launched May 3, is to increase the tree cover in Markham through an increase in community, municipal and developer plantings. The program also includes a comprehensive public information program, plantings for homeowners in partnership with LEAF and York Region, increased maintenance for newly planted trees on public land and the introduction of a tree preservation bylaw. Markham has set aside more than $1.2 million to cover the first year of the program.
About TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (FEF)
Since 1990, FEF has provided $44 million in funding to 17,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2007, FEF provided $3 million in support of 830 environmental projects. Thousands of TD customers and employees donate to FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial Group matches donations up to $1 million annually. TD also covers all administrative costs; this ensures 100 percent of every dollar donated goes directly to funding environment and wildlife projects in the community where the donation was made. For more information please visit www.fef.ca.
Media Contacts:
- Markham Corporate Communications: 905-479-7754
- TD Friends of the Environment Foundation: Matt Cram 647-504-5013
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