KIB Celebrates Arbor Day By Planting Trees

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Linda Broadfoot
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.
317.223.5181
lbroadfoot@kibi.org

Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) will have numerous volunteer projects going on simultaneously throughout Indianapolis this weekend in celebration of Arbor Day. We highlight two for potential stories or photo opportunities for your interest.

SATURDAY, MAY 1, 2010

Irvington Terrace Tree Planting, 9AM – 12PM
o E Washington St from Webster Ave. to Ridgeview Dr.
o Irvington Terrace residents and volunteers will be out on Saturday planting nearly 70 trees which will slow traffic and reduce street pollution and noise along Washington Street. Afterward, the neighborhood will be hosting a fiesta in celebration of everyone’s hard work.
o Tree plantings are a part of KIB’s NeighborWoods program, an endeavor to plant 100,000 large-sized native trees over 10 years.
o Volunteers will be coming from the surrounding neighborhood, Raytheon and Home Depot.
o KIB is grateful to Indianapolis Power & Light Company and Veolia Water for being founding sponsors of the NeighborWoods program and to the City of Indianapolis for their support.

Garfield Neighbors Median Beautification, 9AM – 1PM
o Raymond Street between Shelby and Madison Ave
o Garfield Neighbors and KIB volunteers will work together to install 20 trees, grasses and shrubs on three medians along Raymond Street near Garfield Park. This project will green up a drab section of Raymond Street.
o Volunteers will be coming from the surrounding neighborhood and the International Facilities Management Association’s Indianapolis Chapter.
o Project is a part of KIB’s IPL Project Greenspace Program, sponsored by Indianapolis Power & Light Company with support from the City of Indianapolis.

Tree plantings are a part of KIB’s NeighborWoods program, an endeavor to plant 100,000 large-sized native trees over 10 years. Indianapolis needs trees. Our city has lost 25% of its trees in the last three decades, according to research from IUPUI. American Forests recommends that a city have an average tree cover of 40%. Currently, Indianapolis has a tree cover of 24%, and Center Township has a tree cover of only 15%.

Research-based indicators, such as higher than average crime, lower than average income, and higher than average rates of childhood asthma highlight “hot spot” neighborhoods in Marion County with great need for trees. Keep Indianapolis Beautiful has prioritized tree planting, with the goal of creating a healthier, more beautiful city with an abundance of trees.

A tree-lined street and a clean neighborhood are directly connected to a community’s overall health and vibrancy. Community tree planting inspires neighborhoods to become engaged, increases the tree canopy, provides cleaner air and water, creates a better business climate, increases property values, and reduces crime and incivility. Trees contribute to healthier, stronger, safer and more beautiful neighborhoods where businesses and families thrive.

About Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc.:
Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. (KIB) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit engaging neighborhoods in environmental and community improvement projects throughout the city. Last year, KIB engaged over 40,000 volunteers on projects around the city. The mission of Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. is to unite people to build community and transform public spaces through aesthetic and environmental improvement. To learn more, visit www.kibi.org.

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