Mother Nature Network
Bette Midler‘s New York Restoration Project aims to plant one million new trees by 2017
Toyota has donated 4,500 free trees for this March’s giveaway for New York City residents.
Feb. 21, 2013
This March residents of New York City’s five boroughs will have the opportunity to receive free trees for their yards and neighborhoods courtesy of the New York Restoration Project, which aims to plant a million trees in the city by 2017, and Toyota, which sponsored 4.500 trees for this year’s effort.
The New York Restoration Project (NYRP) was founded in 1995 by actress Bette Midler to help make the city greener and more sustainable. The MillionTreesNYC effort is a collaboration between NYRP, the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and other organizations.
Residents of the five boroughs can find tree giveaway dates and locations here, where they will also soon be able to register in advance to reserve a tree. Trees will also be available on a first-come, first-served basis at each giveaway date. The people who receive trees can take free workshops to learn how to take care of their trees and must agree to keep them watered and well-maintained. The trees must be planted in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens or Staten Island and must be placed on private property, not in parks or along streets. They also can’t be placed on roofs, balconies, terraces or other areas where they would remained potted.
According to NYRP, adding one million trees to the city will help clean the air and offset climate change as well as beautify the city.
Photos from last year’s giveaway can be found at NYRP’s Facebook page.