| Local tree planting event aims to engage community members to take an active role in the overall health of their communities |
CINCINNATI, Ohio (April 2, 2024) – On April 5, Cincinnati Parks Foundation (CPF) will partner with WestRock and the Arbor Day Foundation to plant 45 trees at Daniel Drake Park in Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Parks Foundation (CPF) is on a mission to help enhance and improve Cincinnati Parks in all regions of the city, ensuring that these urban parks remain green, beautiful, and accessible to everyone. CPF is working with the Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s largest membership nonprofit dedicated to planting trees.
“We’re grateful to have the support of the Arbor Day Foundation and extremely proud to work alongside the team at Cincinnati Parks as well as many other non-profit partners, donors and volunteers to collaborate on initiatives of the Green Cincinnati Plan. The Plan’s goal is for each of the 52 neighborhoods of Cincinnati to reach 40% tree canopy coverage. Kennedy Heights is at 32% canopy coverage; this project will help us get that much closer,” said Jennifer Hafner-Spieser, President and CEO of Cincinnati Parks Foundation.
“One of the things the Arbor Day Foundation does best is to help local planting partners take meaningful action in their community to plant trees,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “We plant trees to improve the lives of people around us. We’re happy to help Cincinnati Parks Foundation foster a sense of community pride by planting trees.”
“WestRock is committed to Unboxing Good in communities across our global operating footprint. Through our investment with the Arbor Day Foundation, we are partnering with local planting organizations in 10 communities to support their work to improve green spaces that provide health, environmental and recreation benefits,” said Mandy Burnette, director, Corporate Giving. “We also recognize the important role our local teammates play in the partnership by volunteering to plant trees and spruce up the green space in the community where they live, work and play.”
Trees offer vast benefits for the community at large. Thriving urban forests bolster human health, from encouraging physical activity to reducing respiratory illnesses stemming from air pollution. Urban trees filter the air by removing pollution, improving a city’s overall air quality. They also reduce runoff of sediment, pollutants, and organic matter into streams, improving our water quality. Trees have also been shown to reduce crime, lower stress levels, and develop community pride.
To learn more about this event, visit cincinnatiparksfoundation.org
About Cincinnati Parks Foundation
The Cincinnati Parks Foundation, the philanthropic partner to Cincinnati Parks, is dedicated to building broad-based private/public partnerships to support the conservation and enhancements of Cincinnati’s parks and green spaces for all to enjoy. The Foundation works to raise funds, advocate for the parks, and support innovative programs that connect people to nature and promote a healthy and active lifestyle. To learn more about the projects and programs, please visit cincinnatiparksfoundation.org
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the world’s largest membership nonprofit organization dedicated to planting trees. With a focus in communities and forests of greatest need, the Foundation — alongside its more than 1 million members, supporters and valued partners — has helped to plant nearly 500 million trees in more than 50 countries. Guided by its mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees, the Arbor Day Foundation is committed to unlocking the power of trees to help solve critical issues facing people and the planet. Learn more about the impact of the Arbor Day Foundation at arborday.org.
About WestRock
WestRock (NYSE:WRK) partners with our customers to provide sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help them win in the marketplace. WestRock’s team members support customers around the world from locations spanning North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. Learn more at www.westrock.com.
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