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I’m pretty much blogged out today, but couldn’t resist just one more post. One of the greatest gifts any city can give itself is the soothing green shade and cool, cleansing air that trees bring to all of us.
With the help of Mayor Bloomberg, Bette Midler and (hopefully) a lot of caring contributors, New York has decided to make a major investment in our concrete and asphalt jungle that will keep on giving and giving for many generations to come. And I’m thrilled about it! Yay! Yippee! and Yahoooo!
With soaring asthma rates, this is the least we can do for our children – and their future. And, of course, our future. (Access to quality health care for all would make it an unbeatable package. New York had made some nice gains over recent years, but unfortunately the Federal Government’s recent meddling with SCHIP will cut into some of the hard-won benefits for children.)
But anyway…while we hopefully find a way to straighten all that out, the City has a plan that will certainly make things a little better for everyone. I know the many trees in my neighborhood bring me much joy and solace – not to mention cleaner air. Unfortunately, not all neighborhoods are so lucky. But now they will be. (With a little help from our friends and leaders.)
So, without further ado…here’s a bit of the story from NY1.com:
Bronx Gets First Of One Million Trees To Be Planted Across City
October 09, 2007A tree will soon grow in Brooklyn… and all over the city for that matter. The mayor kicked off his plan to plant a million trees in ten years by going to the Bronx. NY1’s Michael Scotto filed the following story.A Carolina Silverbell got a superstar welcome from the mayor Tuesday. What makes it so important? It’s the first of a million trees to be planted in the city over the next 10 years. A million is large number, considering the city planted 118,000 trees over the last decade.“We’re going to transform New York City from a town that’s mostly asphalt, mostly steaming in the summer, to a place that is cool, green and refreshing to be in all seasons,” said entertainer Bette Midler of the New York Restoration Project, who helped spearhead the project.Midler joined Mayor Michael Bloomberg to show off their gardening skills as they helped plant the first tree, which took root on a street in the South Bronx.“Where the prevalence of trees is among the lowest in the city and not accidentally the asthma rates are among the highest,” said Bloomberg.
I just read your comment to MsShooooz, and this really stuck out with me…
“…Yet there were some blogs I visit on occasion and never even thought to include because I just assumed they weren’t into most of the things I like to write about. And, in one case, to be honest, I worried the person wouldn’t like me and didn’t want to give them the chance to reject me. Oy!”
That’s what I felt when I first started reading MsShoooz’s blog. Boy was I wrong!
Hah! Thanks for letting me know I’m not alone, Red. (Although I kinda guessed I wasn’t.) We also share a love of stinky books, blog stats, and the use of a good expletive when needed – and sometimes even when not.
Appreciate your comment and visit!
And yes…Ruby’s blog is one great blog. And almost too perfectly…her latest post is about trees – in her case, the beautiful ones in the Finger Lakes region. Not to wax too poetic, but trees are just plain friggin’ wonderful, aren’t they? (OK. It’s true. I don’t curse quite as easily as you do. At least not in print. Please don’t hold it against me. (-; )
Isn’t this a fantastic project! I will definitely have to travel to see some of the trees. Let the planting begin!
Yes, Ruby did write about trees.
Thanks for this post.
Oh Lorri…I was just walking in my Brooklyn neighborhood and these wonderful trees with something that look like mini-oranges were especially fragrant tonight. I rarely know the name of what I’m looking at, but I love them so. It makes me feel good to know this city will one day have more than double the number it has now. Yes…please do visit. I rarely remember to bring my camera anywhere, and this way I’ll get to see the pics on YOUR blog! (-;
What a smart, wonderful, hope-filled project! This made my day, Ronnie. Thanks for posting it.
And thanks for visiting! I knew you’d appreciate it. Such a wonderful way to treat the urban environment!
And for anyone who has never been to Terry’s blog – oh what a treat you have in store. Food. Music. And lots of cool WTF stuff that pops out of his head!
I love this initiative! Being from Vancouver, I feel privileged to live in such a green city, and I’m so glad that other cities are wising up to the positive aspects of a green city!
Hi softrevolution! I’ve never been to Vancouver, but it’s one of the cities I hope to visit one day. I’ve heard such wonderful things about its beauty – and its lovely people. Visitors are often amazed at how many trees New York City has. Not to say we don’t need a lot more…but it’s the parks and the trees on many of our streets (thankfully my neighborhood has its share) that help make this place livable for me. More is definitely more in this case!