Trees grow in Brooklyn, NY, thanks to the efforts of BNP Paribas employee volunteers at two recent tree planting events. The bank is serving as one of the 2010 lead sponsors of MillionTreesNYC, a citywide initiative with a goal of planting one million trees and increasing New York’s urban forest by 20 percent in 2017.
BNP Paribas employees, along with 127 students from the mentoring program Mind Matters, traveled to Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn on April 24, 2010, in honor of Reforestation Day. A total of 250 volunteers planted 2,000 trees at the site, adding to the 20,408 trees planted citywide that day.
The team worked alongside groups from Random Houses, Inc., Boys Scouts of America, Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services and various local community volunteers to dig, plant and provide water to each tree given new life that day.
On April 30, 40 employees headed to the Atlantic Towers apartment complex in Brooklyn to give the courtyard there some much needed shade. A total of 80 volunteers, including CEO of BNP Paribas North America Everett Schenk, spent the Arbor Day morning planting 70 large shade trees with employees from other lead sponsors, as well as workers from the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation.
“BNP Paribas has a long-term commitment to the environment, and our expanded sponsorship of MillionTreesNYC is a great testament to that,” noted Schenk. “I’m extremely proud of the employees who participated in the Arbor Day event.”
Following planting, volunteers enjoyed a picnic lunch attended by New York Restoration Project Founder and entertainer Bette Midler and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Adrian Benepe. Entertainment featured music by former American Idol contestants and current Broadway stars, Diana DeGarmo and Constantine Maroulis.
To date, MillionTreesNYC has planted 348,787 trees citywide.
Photo Credit: Amanda Schwab / Starpix
IDE: to create income opportunities for poor rural households
Project Why: to create a model of education for for children in India
I really enjoyed planting trees in Brooklyn with the MillionTreesNYC initiative. Being offered the opportunity to take part to this project was unbelievable, and I will definitely come back to watch my tree grow in this lovely park !
This is a wonderful initiative undertaken by BNP Paribas and it resonates well in New York, solidifying our commitment to the community.
It is also wonderful to see that even Everett Schenk rolled up his sleeves to help plant these trees!