TD Green Streets fosters innovation in urban forestry with 20 matching grants

TORONTO, Oct. 4, 2011 /CNW/ - Growing a greener Canada one community at a time, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation (TD FEF) and Tree Canada are kicking-off another year of TD Green Streets.

In partnership with Tree Canada, TD Green Streets provides funding to support innovative practices in urban forestry. Municipalities, Aboriginal communities and Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) interested in receiving a matching grant of up to $15,000 are encouraged to apply online at tdgreenstreets.ca before December 9, 2011.

"We are thrilled to help communities across the country revitalize and grow healthier environments for Canadians, and increase awareness of the benefits of urban forests," says Mary Desjardins, Executive Director, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation. "With TD Green Streets grants, communities can make an impact this spring that will improve the local environment for generations to come."

With up to 20 grants available for various tree planting, inventory, maintenance and educational activities, Canadian communities of all sizes have a chance to make a difference.

"We've been so impressed by the innovation of the TD Green Streets projects and the enthusiasm of so many residents who want greener communities," says Michael Rosen, Tree Canada President. "We are proud to be associated with the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation in selecting the best and brightest projects in Canada's largest, national urban forestry program."

TD Green Streets' impact on Canadian communities
Since 1994, more than 458 Canadian municipalities across the country have received grants to plant and maintain trees through the program. From revitalizing downtown parks to greening industrial spaces, there are many innovative ways that Canadian municipalities have benefitted from TD Green Streets funding.

Last year, 23 communities and associations from coast-to-coast received grants through the TD Green Streets program. The initiatives included:

• Vancouver, BC: The Cambie Village BIA in Vancouver planted trees and shrubs along a stretch of 20 blocks throughout the district.
• Saskatoon, SK: Promoted the Schools Plant Legacy in Trees (SPLIT) program for students throughout city schools.
• Pickering, ON: Constructed a new arboretum in an urban area.
• Riviere-des-Prairies-Pointe-aux-Trembles, Montreal, QC: Minimized heat islands through tree planting in the area
• St. John's, NL: Planted trees in Bowring Park, replacing those damaged by Hurricane Igor.

TD Green Streets: How it works

• The TD Green Streets program is open to Canadian municipalities, Aboriginal communities and Business Improvement Associations (BIAs) in Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto.  Communities that have previously 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 awarded 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 a panel of judges comprised of representatives from Tree Canada, TD Friends of the Environment Foundation and urban forest practitioners.
  
  
• Winners are selected based on innovation, community involvement and technical expertise.

For more information or to apply for TD Green Streets funding 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 77 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 $55 million in funding to more than 20,000 grassroots environment and wildlife projects across Canada. In 2010, TD FEF provided more than $3.5 million in support of 970 projects. Thousands of donors give to TD FEF on a monthly basis and TD Bank 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.