Founded by Bette Midler, the New York Restoration Project is a non-profit organization dedicated to reclaiming and restoring New York City parks, community gardens and open space. They are leading the MillionTreesNYC initiative to plant and care for one million... 
Growing Stronger Communities
The ultimate benefit of trees is their remarkable capacity to improve a community. Planting new trees will beautify a neighborhood, boost property values, reduce energy bills, and provide many other economic and environmental benefits for the neighborhood and its residents. But the tree planting itself has a dramatic social effect on the community.
All Successful Endeavors Begin With A Vision
Whether a work of art, the creation of a new business, or the development of a green city, all successful endeavors begin with a vision. A clear vision of what one hopes to accomplish is paramount for success.
In the case of urban forestry, what do we want our cities to look like? What do we want our urban canopy to accomplish in terms of human health and wellbeing, social justice, and ecosystem services such as storm water management, air quality, and biodiversity? How should we manage and steward our investment in urban tree canopy for maximum benefit and increase public awareness of the urban forest?
Simply put, the principle reason that a vision of success – i.e., goals – is so important is that it enables us to communicate, discuss and negotiate ideas and qualities that are otherwise intangible. Goals make it possible to plan focused and purposeful programs. Goals give us the chance to evaluate various approaches, and offer a standard against which success and failure can be measured and demonstrated. Such a match between goals and plans is the core idea behind the practice of adaptive management.
