FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:   Janice Rahill (407) 246-2287

CITY PROMOTES 10,000 TREES INITIATIVE AT OVAL GALLERY TREES! EXHIBIT OPENING

City of Orlando’s Parks Division and Keep Orlando Beautiful Launch TREES! Exhibit in Partnership with Orlando Visual Artists’ League

Orlando, FL (July 19, 2005) – On Thursday, July 21, 2005, the 10,000 Trees Initiative led by the City of Orlando’s Parks Division, Green-up Orlando and Keep Orlando Beautiful, Inc., will team up with the Orlando Visual Artists’ League (OVAL) to promote the 10,000 Tree Fund Campaign, through the TREES! exhibit at the OVAL gallery.

The TREES! exhibit reception will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 21 and the exhibit will be on display until August 3, 2005. Donations will be accepted during the reception as well as through the entire show. In addition, several artists showcased have graciously agreed to donate their proceeds to the Tree Fund.

“The goal of the 10,000 Trees Initiative is designed to replace the Orlando urban canopy by the 2010, minimizing long-term effects from the 2004 hurricane season and restoring a pleasant City landscape, “ said Mayor Buddy Dyer. “The City is thrilled to lead these efforts, joining with OVAL to encourage donations for our tree canopy through the TREES! exhibit.”

The 10,000 Trees Initiative evolved after the 2004 hurricane season, which resulted in a loss of more than 20,000 trees (both City and private) in the City of Orlando, where the average loss is expected annually to be 500 trees. Estimated costs to replace the lost trees are more than two million dollars.

Since early April 2005, the 10,000 Trees Initiative raised $14,330 for tree canopy replacement. This reception will increase awareness about the massive tree canopy loss the City experienced, as well as the financial costs associated with replacing 10,000 trees.

Orlando citizens and businesses are encouraged to join in the historic effort to restore Orlando’s tree canopy. Individuals and organizations can support the planting of a 30-gallon street tree with a $100 tax-deductible contribution through the existing Community and Youth Trust. Furthermore, volunteers can help by giving their time to the 10,000 Trees Initiative and become a team leader to teach others to plan trees and coordinate plantings.

Citizens, organizations and businesses interested in participating in the 10,000 Trees Initiative to keep Orlando beautiful can call (407) 246-2287 for more information. For full details on the City of Orlando’s tree planting programs, please visit: www.cityoforlando.net.

City of Orlando Parks Division
The Parks Division is responsible for providing the highest quality parks, street tree canopy, and open spaces to the citizens and visitors of Orlando through excellence in design, construction, and maintenance. There are over 102 parks located throughout the City, in neighborhoods and adjacent to Community Centers.

Keep Orlando Beautiful, Inc.
Founded in 1987, Keep Orlando Beautiful, Inc. is a nonprofit organization and certified as an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful, Inc. KOB empowers individuals to take greater responsibility for enhancing their community environment through beautification and litter prevention. The program is part of the City of Orlando and is administered by the Streets and Stormwater Division of the Public Works Department.
 

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