At the 2015 Annual Meeting and Conference of the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture (NE-ISA), held in North Conway, NH, Regreen Springfield was recognized with this years Gold Leaf Award.  The ISA Gold Leaf Award is designed to recognize an individual, organization, or  community in the New England Chapter for outstanding community landscape beautification projects. This is an opportunity for the NEC-ISA to recognize projects that have had an impact on a community or region with an international award.

The Gold Leaf award is intended to recognize individuals, organizations, or municipalities that have made significant contributions through tree planting and landscaping which enhances environmental protection, conservation,
beautification, air purification, or wildlife protection. Regreen Springfield’s dedication to improve the urban forest and environmental quality of Springfield’s neighborhoods was cited as key in the selection of this year’s recipient.

In addition to Regreen Springfield, David Bloniarz, President of the organization was recognized for his efforts to improve Springfield’s urbanized landscapes.

Over 50 volunteers planted 47 new shade trees in and along the streets surrounding Magazine Park in Springfield’s McKnight Neighborhood on October 21st.  The effort, which was part of the TD Bank Tree Days, in which over 1,500 new trees were planted within their service area during October.

Each volunteer had a job, whether it was digging the holes, planting the trees, or even making sure the trees got provided enough drinking water. According to Edward Casey, City Forester, “We have the volunteers get the trees in the ground we’ll have a crew come through and mulch them and than we’ll come back and put a tree gauge around them a watering reservoir that will add 20 gallons of water after the planting.”  He added, “Regreen Springfield and TD Bank have been great partners over the years in helping regreen the city.”

Matt Maguire, TD Bank Retail Mark Manager for the Greater Springfield Region, said “Research says that communities are safer, reducing energy, lower costs for homes, and just makes it a better city.”

This effort is one of a continued series of tree planting projects undertaken this year by Regreen Springfield and its partners.

Employees from TD Bank will join with Regreen Springfield to plant new trees in Springfield’s Upper Hill Neighborhood on Wednesday, October 21st as part of the company’s TD Tree Days.  Over 50 volunteers will participate in the planting of new street and park trees in the Federal Square and Magazine Park areas of the neighborhood.

Since its U.S. introduction five years ago, TD Tree Days has seen thousands of TD Volunteers plant more than 3,300 trees across the U.S.  Last year TD Employees joined with Customers and community partners to plant more than 1,100 trees in communities across our footprint. Best of all, they planted them where they were needed the most! With shovels in their hands and smiles on their faces, hundreds of volunteers made a real difference by greening – literally – parks and green spaces in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods from Maine to Florida.

This year TD Bank employees are ramping up to do it again, only they will be planting more trees in more neighborhoods! They will be planting more than 1,300 trees in 25 locations, including 50 in Springfield.

If you would like to help out, please plan to meet at Magazine Park, at the intersection of St. James Avenue and Magazine Street (near State Street) on Wednesday, October 21st at  9:30 AM.  Come join the fun!