The BNP Paribas “Changenators” took to the Welcome Garden of Highbridge Park in New York City on June 5 as part of their ongoing efforts to support the MillionTrees NYC initiative and to honor World Environmental Day. This time trees took a back seat to the planting of flowers and plants by the 40 bank volunteers, the New York Parks Department and New York Restoration Project (NYRP) team.
Highbridge Park suffered more than 30 years of neglect until 1996 when NYRP crews and volunteers uncovered more than four miles of pathways that had been buried under accumulated garbage and debris.
BNP Paribas volunteers helped in the annual maintenance of the northern section of the park by planting an array of flowers, from Wild Geraniums and Winterberry to Witchhazel and Spicebush. “I can’t imagine a better way to spend World Environmental Day than by working in the garden along side other colleagues,” said Delia Tarlea, Manager Production Services, Prime Brokerage Technology. “Tending to weeds and planting flowers and plants was fulfilling, plus we learned about the New York Restoration Project.”
IDE: to create income opportunities for poor rural households
Project Why: to create a model of education for for children in India
On February 2, MillionTreesNYC was highlighted as a leader in the Urban Forestry movement during the U.S. launch of the International Year of the Forests. Everett Schenk, head of BNP Paribas North America, spoke on behalf of MillionTreesNYC at the United Nations event, highlighting BNP Paribas’ leadership role in this internationally acclaimed tree planting program! Congrats to all involved!