- Deadline to submit TD Green Streets funding applications for tree planting initiatives is December 17 -

TORONTO, Nov. 30 /CNW/ - The clock is ticking for Canadian municipalities interested in receiving some 'green' to green their main streets. TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) is encouraging municipalities and First Nations communities across Canada to apply for funding to support tree planting initiatives through the TD Green Streets program, in partnership with Tree Canada. Applications for funding will be accepted until December 17, 2010 and are available online at www.tdgreenstreets.ca.

The TD Green Streets program will award 20 communities across Canada with a grant of up to $15,000 for tree planting, inventory, maintenance and educational activities in early 2011.

"This is a great chance for Canadian municipalities looking to reduce their 'concrete jungle' to bring the green back to their main streets," says Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "We're encouraging municipalities across Canada to apply for a grant today, as the submission deadline is quickly approaching."

TD Green Streets' impact on Canadian communities

From revitalizing downtown parks to creating a 'living wall' of trees along a highway, there are many innovative ways that Canadian municipalities have benefitted from Green Streets funding. Since 1994, more than 390 Canadian municipalities have received grants to plant and maintain trees from coast-to-coast.

The funding will allow the City of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, with the help of local volunteers, to plant fruit trees along a bicycle path. "We are pleased that our application to the TD Green Streets program has been accepted. As a municipality, we are committed to environmental sustainability and we believe our citizens benefit from a greener city which increases the health of and quality of life in our community. Thanks to TD Green Streets we can create a more pleasant environment for residents and a habitat for the local fauna. This will also help us control the spread of ragweed and reduce urban heat islands," said Mayor Francis Deroo.

The city of Drayton Valley, AB also received funding in 2010 for a project to enhance their downtown main street area by creating a natural greenspace. "Thanks to TD Green Streets, we will be able to increase the diversity of our urban forest, as well as promote sustainable urban planning and development," says Moe Hamdon, Mayor, Drayton Valley, AB.

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    TD Green Streets: How it works

    -  The TD Green Streets program is open to Canadian municipalities, First
       Nations communities and Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) in
       Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto. Communities who have already received
       TD Green Streets funding are also eligible to apply under this year's
       program.

    -  Based on the community size and need, grants of up to $15,000 are
       given with a maximum of 50 per cent of the grant allocated towards the
       cost of tree planting. The remainder can be used for inventory,
       maintenance and educational activities.

    -  All submissions are reviewed by regional Tree Canada advisors, board
       members, urban forest practitioners and TD Friends of the Environment
       Foundation representatives.

    -  Winners are selected based on innovation, community involvement and
       technical expertise.
    >>

For more information or to apply for funding from TD Green Streets visit www.tdgreenstreets.ca

About Tree Canada:

Tree Canada is a not-for-profit charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant and care for trees in urban and rural environments. A winner of the Canadian Environmental Award (2007), Tree Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, more than 76 million trees have been planted, more than 450 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada has organized nine 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 $53 million in funding to over 19,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2009, TD FEF provided more than $4.1 million in support of 899 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank Financial 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.