May 18th Forest Hills Tree Giveaway To Offer 200 FREE Trees from 1 PM - 3 PM in MacDonald Park

For Immediate Release

Forest Hills Tree Giveaway To Donate 200 Trees on May 18th

Contact: Michael Perlman
unlockthevault@hotmail.com
Forest Hills Tree Giveaway, Coordinator
Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance
Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Chair

www.treegiveaways.com/4bnpa

www.facebook.com/ForestHillsTreeGiveaways

QUEENS, NY (May 10, 2014) - The boroughs are about to become greener at the Forest Hills Tree Giveaway Event. On Sunday, May 18 from 1 PM to 3 PM, citywide residents will line up in MacDonald Park on Queens Boulevard and 70^th Avenue, and take home a tree or two among 200 free trees. Adopters will then plant their tree outside their house or building.

This bi-annual event, typically held in May and October, will be the sixth Forest Hills Tree Giveaway since 2011, and bring the total quantity of donated trees to 1,045. Adopters can select from 5 tree species, which consist of Tulip Trees, American Sweetgum, River Birch, Eastern Redbud, and Black Walnut. This will add diversity to the boroughs. 

This event is made possible through Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance (4BNPA)’s partnership with New York Restoration Project (NYRP) and MillionTreesNYC. The lead sponsors are Toyota and TD Bank, and the lead partners are plaNYC, NYC Parks, and NYRP. A supporting sponsor is jetBlue Airways. Volunteers will be derived from Rego-Forest Preservation Council (RFPC), Trylon Vet Care, Forest Hills Jewish Center, the Forest Hills Green Team, the Compost Collective, and Green Mountain Energy.

NYRP began coordinating tree giveaways in 2008. As of 2011, 4BNPA had the mission of advocating for landmarks and curbing overdevelopment, but began realizing how environmental preservation is a significant complement to the city’s architectural achievements. The organizations’ relationship would then begin.

Extreme weather patterns intensified over the last few years, as evident by the 2010 macroburst, Hurricane Irene, and Hurricane Sandy. This caused numerous trees to succumb within seconds, and a single characteristic that vanished was the physical reminders of what people grew up around and developed an attachment to. Despite loss, it emphasized the benefits behind preserving mature trees and planting new ones. Trees enhance property values and character, mark a community’s history, offer a serene setting, capture stormwater, reduce runoff, filter and cool the air, and conserve energy, among numerous benefits.

For tree adopters to acquire a relationship with their trees, trees are being named after local landmarks, streets, and notables by volunteer Steve Goodman, and certificates will be distributed. Adopters will be photographed with their trees, and nature-inspired artwork designed by Oliloli Studio and the Queens Paideia School will contribute to the event’s diversity.  

On May 18th, those who wish to adopt a potted tree should line up earlier than 1 PM at MacDonald Park.

The public can reserve a tree by visiting www.treegiveaways.com/4bnpa

Forest Hills Tree Giveaways on Facebook:  www.facebook.com/ForestHillsTreeGiveaways

###

200 FREE Trees in Forest Hills

"Free Trees in Forest Hills" by Michael Perlman of the Forest Hills Times/Queens Ledger: http://www.foresthillstimes.com/view/full_story/22508582/article-Free-trees-in-Forest-Hills

Tree Giveaway Promotional Poster designed by Michael Perlman

A feeling of rejuvenation comes as our trees and flowers are in bloom each spring. A growing tradition in the heart of Forest Hills is the Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance’s (4BNPA) Tree Giveaway Event.

On Sunday, May 19th from 1 to 3 PM, residents will line up in MacDonald Park on Queens Boulevard and 70th Avenue and adopt one of six unique species among 200 trees to take home and plant on their property. Those who wish to adopt a potted tree should line up before 1 p.m. at MacDonald Park. In advance, tree adopters may reserve their tree on this http://treegiveaways.com/4bnpa.php

The Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance (4BNPA) hosts the event in partnership with the New York Restoration Project (NYRP) and MillionTreesNYC. Toyota is a lead sponsor, American Express is a tree giveaway sponsor, and lead partners are NYRP, plaNYC, and the Parks Department.

This will be 4BNPA’s fourth tree giveaway since June 2011, during which time the group has given away nearly 650 trees. Years earlier, the 4BNPA had the sole mission of advocating for landmarks and curbing overdevelopment, but then realized how trees complement architecture and are an important element in restoring our city’s historic landscapes.

NYRP began coordinating tree giveaways in 2008, understanding that the MillionTreesNYC initiative was focused on greening public spaces, but private homes, apartment buildings, religious institutions, and community gardens also represent a great percentage of the city that merit tree planting.

This spring, nearly 30 tree giveaway events are being coordinated - nine will be hosted in Queens – meaning New York City’s urban landscape will have approximately 4,500 new trees. Since the giveaways started, greater than 18,000 trees have been planted.

Many community residents did not realize the benefits of trees until many old trees were lost in a matter of seconds during the September 2010 tornado, which was followed by Hurricane Irene in August 2011 and Hurricane Sandy in October 2012. MacDonald Park, which dates back to 1933, is the Central Park of Forest Hills, and lost 60 mature trees during the tornado. The 4BNPA seeks to restore the “forest” in Forest Hills.

Trees enhance a community’s aesthetics and property values, and most significantly contribute to its environmental sustainability.

“The trees we give away will clean our air and water, reducing run-off and filtering particulate matter from the air for generations,” said NYRP Community Initiatives manager Mike Mitchell. “The value of a city’s urban forest will only increase as rainstorms become more severe and levels of particulate matter increase in our atmosphere.”

The need to plant more native species in Queens and beyond is essential.

“Native species are very helpful for pollinators and wildlife, and their importance should not be understated,” said Mitchell. “The native trees we introduce help increase diversity in the tree plantings around the city, and help ensure a healthy urban forest.”

Trees available for adoption will consist of 50 Witch-Hazel, 50 Natchez Crape Myrtle, 25 Leonard Messel Magnolia, 25 Centennial Magnolia, 25 Persian Ironwood, and 25 Dawn Redwood. This will add to the more frequently planted trees throughout the city over the years, such as Oak, Maple, Sycamore, Honey Locust, and Gingko.  Magnolias are highly praised for their graceful spread of white-pink or pink-purple flowers, which are a crowning sight every spring. 

Crape Myrtles produce very showy white flowering shoots in the spring and summer. Mitchell added, “Crape myrtles have a gorgeous bark that really gets shown off during the winter months.”

 Dawn Redwood is a fast-growing conical tree with needles that turn bronze in the fall, and is especially unique due to its history. “It was thought to be extinct for millions of years, only known from impressions made in coal, until the early 20^th century,” stated Mitchell. 

Witch-Hazels provide early yellow flowers. He explained, “When I took a course on bees, most beekeepers were hoping for flower blooms early enough to feed their bees. One of the only options was Witch-Hazels, so they’ll be a great addition to our city, particularly as our climate becomes more unpredictable.” Persian Ironwood also produces late winter or early spring flowers, with abundantly red leaves every fall.

The tree giveaway events also generate lasting memories.

“At 4BNPA’s giveaway last fall, there were triplets who were absolutely enamored with trees, and their parents were so excited to help them learn and to plant trees at their home,” Mitchell said. “Each of the boys was able to adopt a tree. There is nothing I like to see more than young, intelligent people who exhibit genuine interest in our living world.”

Some adopted trees are planted in memory of loved ones. Mitchell explained, “The most memorable of these memorials was this year’s event at the Staten Island Buddhist Vihara. Before their tree giveaway, the monks were holding a Puja, where they honored a community member’s father. They made several mentions of the merit a tree planting brings, and discussed how the trees that were planted that day would confer merit on the man who passed away three months prior.”

Volunteer Steve Goodman is also designing tree adoption certificates. Trees will be named after local historic sites such as the Forest Hills Theatre, notable local figures such as architect Grosvenor Atterbury and Helen Keller, and historic street names such as Roman Avenue (72nd Avenue) and Ascan Avenue.

In addition to the 4BNPA, there will be volunteers from Rego-Forest Preservation Council, Trylon Vet Care, the Forest Hills Chamber of Commerce, Forest Hills Jewish Center, Parker Towers, and Key Food.

May 20 Tree Giveaway A Blooming Success In Forest Hills!

Enjoy the flickr set for the May 20, 2012 Four Borough Neighborhood Preservation Alliance Tree Giveaway Event, which was held in MacDonald Park in Forest Hills. The 4BNPA teamed up with New York Restoration Project and volunteers from Rego-Forest Preservation Council to donate 245 trees to private property owners. The flickr set documents the event, the adoptees, and some of the trees which found new homes:

http://bit.ly/2012TreeGiveaway4BNPA     

 GO GREEN and restore our neighborhood's natural and historic beauty!

"Queens Blvd Big Sweep" Needs Volunteers on October 15th, 8:30 AM - 3 PM

Want to dedicate a few hours of community service? Queens Boulevard Restoration Group & In Our Back Yard (IOBY.org) need volunteers to help clean the tree-lined medians of Queens Blvd in Forest Hills and Rego Park. Help restore the medians along Queens Blvd from 78th Ave to 63rd Dr, & make our community shine while helping the environment!
 
When? Saturday, October 15, 2011, 9:00 AM -3:00 PM. Meet at 8:30 AM

Where? Meet in MacDonald Park on Queens Blvd & 70th Rd, Forest Hills
 
Water, gloves, t-shirts, and lunch will be provided. Pitch in for as long as you want! 

To sign up or for more information, please e-mail info@queensblvd.org or call (917) 558-3802. Please bring your friends, neighbors, family, & help spread the word.

Green For Queens Community Earth Day Fair

As supporters of environmental preservation and our community spirit, Rego-Forest Preservation Council takes pride in the 2nd Annual Green For Queens Community Earth Day Fair.......

Take your family & friends to a FREE environmental festival on Sunday, May 15th from 1 PM to 4 PM at the Central Queens YMHA/YWHA at 67-09 108th St, Forest Hills, NY



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earth-Friendly Fun For Kids:

• Wildlife Children’s Theater of the Central Park Zoo
• Big Apple “Circus to Go”
• Music and cooking for kids!
• Create an edible eco-system & eco-crafts.
• Learn about worm composting!
• Snakes & Worms & Other Wild Animals!

Green Vendors, Exhibits, & Talks for Adults:

• Sustainable Food: local & organic cheese & coffee tastings, vegetarian cooking demonstrations, and more!
• Bestselling Author Anna Lappe speaking on Diet for a Hot Planet at 3:00 PM (Babysitting available during Anna Lappe’s talk.)
• Learn how you can save energy, save $ & fight global warming!
• Recycle: cell phones, rechargeable batteries, clothes & shoes.
• Sign up for a FREE energy audit or for clean wind energy. (Bring one year of your gas & electric bills along)
• Learn about neighborhood organic food coops, community gardens, white roofs, bike paths, and green walls.
• Free reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and CFL light bulbs!

And....  Delicious, healthy snacks for all!

Event flyer:  

http://www.centralqueensy.org/clientuploads/EarthDayPoster2011.pdf

For more information: www.centralqueensy.org/EarthDay
Call (718) 268-5011, ext. 151, or e-mail pkurtz@cqyjcc.org