TD Green Streets Invests in the Growth and Care of Urban Forests in the U.K.
Oct 22, 2014 /3BL Media/ – TD Bank Group (TD) is proud to announce that it has teamed up with the Community Forest Trust (CFT) to launch TD Green Streets UK. Through the program, TD will provide two £10,000 grants to enable two innovative urban greening projects to come to life in the regions of Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire. Priority will be given to communities in less affluent areas that have the greatest potential to benefit from high quality urban forestry.
“The Community Forest Trust is absolutely delighted to be working with TD to deliver this exciting new urban forestry support program, which will combine the Trust’s great expertise and track record in urban greening and the bank’s extensive experience of charitable investment in urban forestry in North America,” said Community Forest Trust Chairman Stephen Falder. “TD Green Streets will make a valuable contribution to greening local communities in partnership with local people and organizations.”
“We are thrilled to have this opportunity to work with Community Forest Trust to promote and invest in innovative approaches to urban forestry," said John Tracy, Head, TD Direct Investing (Europe). "This sponsorship aligns with our environmental commitment to help strengthen and sustain communities across our footprint and underscores our commitment to forest protection and stewardship.”
TD Green Streets is the second major TD initiative related to urban forests to be launched in Europe – TD Tree Days was introduced to the U.K. in 2011 and Luxembourg in 2012.
TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) has been title sponsor of TD Green Streets – Tree Canada’s flagship program – since 2010, and has provided $1.5 million in funding to Canadian municipalities and Aboriginal communities. In 2013, TD launched TD Green Streets in the U.S. with the Arbor Day Foundation.
"I'm tremendously excited to see TD Green Streets launch across our entire footprint," said Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief Environment Officer, TD. "Cities and towns around the world are growing at an unprecedented rate, and studies tell us that trees and green spaces are vital to the environmental, social and economic well-being of communities. That's why we've made growing urban forests and green spaces a pillar of the TD Forests program and champion the contribution of TD Green Streets.”
With the support of TD Green Streets grants, communities across North America have developed innovative projects to help grow and care for their urban forests, and increase community green spaces. Funded projects include bio-swales, rain gardens, citizen pruner programs, urban orchards, and 'forest classrooms'.
About TD Green Streets
A grant program available in Canada, the US and the UK, TD Green Streets supports and promotes innovation in urban forestry. Applications are evaluated on several criteria, including innovation, partnerships and community engagement, capacity building, and maintenance. Applications are due in December, and grant recipients in each market will be announced in March, 2015. #TDGreenStreets
About TD Forests
Established in 2012, TD Forests works to grow urban forests and green spaces, protect critical forest habitats, and encourages the responsible use of forest products. TD Forests brings together, under one canopy, the bank's long-standing community programs related to forest conservation and education, along with a major conservation initiative.
