PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 2, 2024
CONTACT:
Erin Hillert, Director of Marketing & Communication
James River Association
(c) (608) 239-2644 (e) ehillert@thejamesriver.org
James River Association, Arbor Day Foundation,
and SageSure Team Up to Host Community Tree Planting Event
Community tree planting event will engage residents in tree planting and stewardship
RICHMOND, VA – This April, the James River Association (JRA) will partner with SageSure and the Arbor Day Foundation to plant trees in the neighborhood around Richmond’s North Avenue Branch Library.
On Friday, April 12, 2024, community members are invited to join JRA, the Arbor Day Foundation, and SageSure at the library for a tree planting event as part of the Greening Richmond Public Libraries initiative, a partnership formed by JRA, Richmond Public Library, Richmond Department of Public Utilities/RVAH2O, and Four Winds Design.
This community tree planting event is made possible by a grant from SageSure and support from the Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s largest membership nonprofit dedicated to planting trees.
“Planting and maintaining trees is one of the best ways we can fight climate change locally,” said Justin Doyle, Director of Community Conservation for JRA. “The 20 trees to be planted by volunteers are intended to reduce urban heat and stormwater runoff in the neighborhood around North Avenue Branch Library. They will also improve local air quality and create habitat for wildlife.”
“The Arbor Day Foundation is dedicated to helping our local planting partners unlock the transformative power of trees in their community,” said Dan Lambe, chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation. “Trees clean our air, cool our cities and improve the lives of the people around them. We’re happy to help the James River Association maximize the impact of their urban canopy and inspire more people to engage with nature in a meaningful way.”
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 which improves 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.
“We’re excited to embark on a joint mission with Arbor Day Foundation and the James River Foundation to restore communities, natural habitats, and ecosystems affected by catastrophe activity,” said Tammy Nelson, chief marketing officer at SageSure. “Last year, SageSure planted more than a thousand trees, and this year we’re excited to protect our natural ecosystem further by adopting automatic paperless enrollments for policyholders. Our partnership with Arbor Day Foundation and the James River Association continues to inspire our environmental sustainability efforts.”
To sign up to volunteer to plant trees on April 12, visit https://form.jotform.com/240785775735976.
About the James River Association
The James River Association is a member-supported nonprofit organization founded in 1976 to serve as a guardian and voice for the James River. Throughout the James River’s 10,000 square mile watershed, the James River Association works toward its vision of a fully healthy James River supporting thriving communities. The James River Association believes that “when you change the James, the James changes you”. With offices in Lynchburg, Scottsville, Richmond, and Williamsburg, the James River Association is committed to protecting the James River and connecting people to it. For more information visit www.thejamesriver.org.
About the Arbor Day Foundation
Founded in 1972, the Arbor Day Foundation is the largest nonprofit membership organization dedicated to planting trees. Together with our partners, we have helped plant more than 500 million trees in neighborhoods, communities, cities and forests throughout the world. Our vision is to lead toward a world where trees are used to solve issues critical to survival. Through our members, partners and programs, the Arbor Day Foundation inspires people across the globe to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information is available at arborday.org.
About SageSure
SageSure is the managing general underwriter pioneering ways people protect their American Dream. A leader in catastrophe-exposed property insurance, SageSure was founded in 2009 to deliver reliable products, exceptional customer experiences, and strong underwriting results in challenging insurance markets. SageSure currently operates in 14 states and provides home, flood, and commercial coverage on behalf of its highly rated carrier partners. With more than $1.6 billion of inforce premium, 550,000 policyholders, and 700 employees across the country, SageSure is the largest residential property insurance MGU in the US. To learn more, visit sagesure.com.