Photo Flash: NYC Parks, Bronx River Alliance and Local Students Plant Trees on Arbor Day

Today, NYC Parks Bronx Borough Commissioner Hector Aponte joined representatives from the Bronx River Alliance, the TD Bank Green Streets program, the Arbor Day Foundation, and second grade students from the Bronx Community Charter School to plant 200 trees in the Bronx River Forest in celebration of Arbor Day. The planting was funded through a $20,000 grant awarded to NYC Parks by TD Bank's Green Streets program. Scroll down for photos!

"I'm pleased to join our community partners and sponsors on Arbor Day to plant native trees that help make the Bronx River Forest a healthier, greener place," said Bronx Parks Commissioner Hector Aponte. "Many thanks to TD Bank's Green Streets program for their investment in Bronx parks, to the Bronx River Alliance for their ecological expertise, and to the students at Bronx Community Charter School for being stewards of their natural areas."

At 10:00 a.m., Bronx Parks Commissioner Hector Aponte accepted a $20,000 grant from a TD Bank representative on behalf of NYC Parks. Following the presentation of the grant, approximately 50 students, 10 TD Bank volunteers, and the Bronx River Alliance's Conservation Crew began their ecological restoration efforts in the Bronx River Forest. The group planted approximated 200 pin oak, sugar maple, and persimmon tree saplings and mulched areas around the planting site. The saplings will prevent the encroachment of invasive species, thereby improving the health of the forest.

"TD is excited to award a TD Green Streets grant to this exemplary municipality for its commitment to expand local urban forestry projects," said Diana Glassman, Head of Environmental Affairs for TD Bank. "The ongoing partnership with Arbor Day Foundation aligns with our environmental commitment to help strengthen and sustain the communities where we live and work. Together, we can make a long-term, sustainable difference."

The Green Streets grant will fund projects that improve wildlife habitat and restore the Bronx River Forest. The projects, led by the Bronx River Alliance, will engage local volunteers in the process of building long-term stewardship for the Bronx River.

About the Bronx River Alliance: The Bronx River Alliance works in partnership with NYC Parks to protect, improve, and restore the Bronx River corridor so that it can be a healthy ecological, educational, and economic resource for the communities through which the river flows.

About TD Green Streets: Launched in 2013 by TD and the Arbor Day Foundation, TD Green Streets supports innovation in urban forestry. Along with TD''s flagship volunteer program, TD Tree Days, TD Green Streets is a component of TD Forests, a North American initiative that helps protect critical forest habitats equal to the amount of paper the bank uses each year. Together, these programs underscore the bank''s commitment to forest protection and stewardship, and are a direct investment in the health of our urban tree canopy. More information is available at tdgreenstreets.com.

About the Arbor Day Foundation: The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org, or by visiting us on Facebook, Twitter or our blog.

Photo Credit: Malcolm Pinckney / NYC Parks