Canopy Care

Project Canopy is a collaborative project implemented by the Maine Forest Service and GrowSmart Maine (http://growsmartmaine.org/)to preserve healthy urban and community forests for ecological and economic benefits to Maine residents as well as the global environment. Project Canopy works with non-profit organizations and municipalities to help maintain public forestry resources. They procure grants and technical assistance to promote tree plantings and maintenance of the tree populations for Maine communities.
Partnered with TD Bank and the Alliance for Community Trees (http://actrees.org/), which is a national non-profit organization that works with volunteers to take action for the environment in highly urbanized areas, Project Canopy staff and volunteers participated in TD Tree Days at Pettingill Park to plant new trees in local communities in need. Per Governor LePage, “Planting trees in our urban communities increases public awareness of the value of Maine’s forest industry. The total economic impact of Maine’s forest economy is $8 billion and it provides direct and indirect employment to tens of thousands of people.” TD Bank’s environmental initiative “TD Forests” aims to help expand urban forestry and enhance community and economic development. Sponsored tree planting events will take place throughout the month of October in communities in need from Maine to Florida.
Pettengill Park boasts a 0.7 mile trail owned by the city of Auburn, winding through a low-income area, which was the focus of a volunteer project to plant 50 trees. The TD Tree Days event in Auburn aided in improving the community by engaging volunteers, business owners and residents in an activity which benefits the environment and builds community pride. Planting sites were selected which would be ecologically beneficial, aid in mitigating stormwater, create or improve habitat and pave the way towards urban renewal.
Other TD Tree Day events will occur in Baltimore, Md.; Boston, Mass.; Bronx, N.Y.; Brookhaven, Pa.; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Camden, N.J.; Detroit, Mich.; Greenville, S.C.; Hudson, N.H.; Irving, Texas; Jacksonville, Fla.; Jersey City, N.J.; Lawrence, Mass.; Miami, Fla.; Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Neptune, N.J.; Staten Island, N.Y.; and Queens, N.Y.. Try to attend participate in one near you!