PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 2, 2023
CONTACT:
Erin Hillert, Director of Communications
James River Association
Cell: 608.239.2644 | Email: ehillert@thejamesriver.org
James River Association, Arbor Day Foundation, and Truist
Team Up to Host Tree Distribution and Planting Events
Local tree-focused events aim to engage residents in tree planting and stewardship
RICHMOND, Va – This November, the James River Association (JRA) will partner with Truist and the Arbor Day Foundation to distribute and plant trees at Richmond’s North Avenue Branch Library.
On Saturday, November 11, native trees will be given away to residents of the City of Richmond who signed up for a tree. On Tuesday, November 14, members of the community are invited to join JRA, the Arbor Day Foundation, and Truist 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.
The distribution and planting events this November are made possible by a grant from the Truist Charitable Fund, a donor-advised fund administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation, and support from the Arbor Day Foundation, the world’s largest membership nonprofit dedicated to planting trees.
“The James River Association and our Greening Richmond Public Libraries partners are grateful for the generous support from Arbor Day Foundation and Truist,” said Justin Doyle, Director of Community Conservation for JRA. “Trees given away to residents of Richmond and planted by volunteers are intended to reduce urban heat and stormwater runoff. Planting and maintaining trees is one of the best ways to fight local consequences of climate change.”
“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 strengthening respiratory systems. 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.
“Truist is proud to be partnering with the Arbor Day Foundation and the James River Association to work together to support our shared community of Richmond,” said Thomas Ransom, Virginia Regional President at Truist. “Our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities and when we work alongside partners, we can have a greater impact together. We look forward to these tree planting and distribution events will contribute to our city, residents, and the environment.”
To sign up to volunteer to plant trees on November 14, visit https://form.jotform.com/232834766831969.
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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. 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 THE TRUIST CHARITABLE FUND:
The Truist Charitable Fund (“TCF”) is committed to Truist Financial Corporation’s (NYSE: TFC) purpose to inspire and build better lives and communities. TCF was established as a donor-advised fund and is administered by The Winston-Salem Foundation. TCF invests in local community organizations, focusing on grants that support initiatives and programs in the areas of educational equity, leadership development, career pathways, small business, and community services. To learn more about Truist’s purpose, visit https://www.truist.com/who-we-are/about-truist.