20 Cities Awarded TD Green Space Grants for Innovative Urban Forestry Initiatives in Underserved Neighborhoods

LINCOLN, Neb. and TORONTO, June 8, 2020 /3BL Media/ – Today, TD Bank Group (TD) and the Arbor Day Foundation announced the recipients of the TD Green Space Grants program. These grants provide a total of $400,000 USD to support green infrastructure development, tree planting, forestry stewardship, and community green space expansion, advancing environmental and economic benefits for underserved communities. Given the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on already vulnerable communities, providing green buffers in urban neighborhoods lacking tree canopy has never been more important.

"Green spaces play a critical role in creating more vibrant livable cities," says Andrea Barrack, Global Head, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. “With COVID-19 affecting almost every facet of life as we know it, urban green spaces are increasingly vital for the physical and mental health of citizens and can help offer solutions to meet social and economic needs emerging from this pandemic.  Our partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation will strengthen innovative initiatives that build resiliency in our communities and help open doors to a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow for all."

“We are thrilled to partner with the TD to help build healthier, more resilient communities across the United States and Canada. The importance of providing equitable access to green space is visible now more than ever,” said Dan Lambe, president, Arbor Day Foundation. “From cleaning our air and water to bolstering our mental health, a thriving tree canopy produces clear benefits for all community members in both their day-to-day lives and in the face of crises like COVID-19 and climate change.”

The following twenty cities in the United States and Canada will each receive a TD Green Space Grant of $20,000 USD:

United States

• Washington, D.C.

• Miami, Florida

• Palatka, Florida

• Lawrence, Massachusetts

• Baltimore, Maryland

• Clifton, New Jersey

• Flushing, New York

• Asheville, North Carolina

• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

• Central Falls, Rhode Island

Canada

• Strathmore, Alberta

• New Westminster, British Columbia

• Fredericton, New Brunswick

• Riverview, New Brunswick

• Brampton, Ontario

• Mississauga, Ontario

• Hamilton, Ontario (Barton Village)

• Hamilton, Ontario (Hamilton Beach)

• Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Quebec

• Montreal, Quebec

TD provides funding for these grants, which are awarded annually, and the Arbor Day Foundation administers the program. TD Green Space Grants are part of the TD Ready Commitment, TD's global corporate citizenship platform.

2020 grant funding will drive programs adhering to the theme Beat the Heat: Using Green Infrastructure to Cool Down Urban Heat Islands. To be eligible for a grant, qualified municipalities had to be located within TD's operating footprint in the United States and Canada. Priority was given to projects occurring in underserved areas of local communities. For communities applying within the United States, preference was given to currently recognized Tree City USA® communities or those who expressed interest in becoming a Tree City USA community over the next calendar year.

For more information, visit arborday.org/programs/tdgreenspacegrants.

About the Arbor Day Foundation: Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation has grown to become the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees, with more than one million members, supporters, and valued partners. Their vision is to help others understand and use trees as a solution to many of the global issues we face today, including air quality, water quality, climate change, deforestation, poverty and hunger.

As one of the world's largest operating conservation foundations, the Arbor Day Foundation educates and engages stakeholders and communities across the globe to involve themselves in its mission of planting, nurturing and celebrating trees. More information is available at arborday.org.

About TD Global Corporate Citizenship

TD has a long-standing commitment to enriching the lives of its customers, colleagues and communities. As part of its corporate citizenship platform, the TD Ready Commitment, TD is targeting CDN $1 billion (US $750 million*) in total by 2030 towards community giving in four areas critical to opening doors for a more inclusive and sustainable tomorrow – Financial Security, Vibrant Planet, Connected Communities and Better Health. Through the TD Ready Commitment, the bank aspires to link its business, philanthropy and human capital to help people feel more confident - not just about their finances, but also in their ability to achieve their personal goals in a changing world. For further information, visit www.td.com/tdreadycommitment.

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For more information contact: 

Arbor Day Foundation

Jen Hallaman
402-473-2024
jhallaman@arborday.org

TD Bank Group

Lisa Martucci-Thibault (US)
609-937-0975
Lisa.martucci-thibault@td.com

Heather Reinsborough (Canada)
647-405-2660
Heather.Reinsborough@td.com