Central Park

The Daily Plant : Monday, June 30, 2008

Citywide Volunteers Graduate From Street Tree Pruner Course

Malcolm Pinckney

On June 19, First Deputy Commissioner Liam Kavanagh and Executive Director of Trees New York Susan Gooberman led a graduation ceremony for citizen volunteers who have completed Trees New York’s Citizen Pruner Course.

Approximately 250 volunteers from throughout the five boroughs participated in this spring’s 12-hour Citizen Pruner course, learning topics such as tree identification, tree biology, tree pit gardening, and tree pruning. Graduates of the Citizen Pruner Course are licensed by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and Trees New York to care for New York City street trees.

There are over five million trees and 168 species in New York City, with nearly 600,000 street trees. In October 2007, the City and the New York Restoration Project launched MillionTreesNYC, a citywide, public-private initiative with an ambitious goal to plant and care for one million new trees across the city’s five boroughs by 2017.

As a result of a new comprehensive tree planting and greening approach, entire neighborhoods throughout New York City will be transformed into beautiful greenscapes, with every newly planted tree registered.

RORY MCEVOY NAMED DIRECTOR OF SPECIAL EVENTS

I am happy to announce that Rory McEvoy has been appointed the Director of Special Events. Rory brings seven years of experience at Parks to this position including time in both the Manhattan Special Events Office and the Citywide Marketing and Special Events Office.

Rory has managed a vast array of large-scale special events including AIDS Walk, the NYC Triathlon, the NYC Marathon, the Philharmonic on the Great Lawn, Bike New York, Passport to Taiwan, and Broadway Under the Stars. Rory’s interest in the law, city policy, and political issues inform his approach to the wide variety of events that cross his desk from cultural festivals to promotional events. Winter Jam, one of Parks’ signature events, has become an outstanding example of a free, dynamic, public event under Rory’s leadership. Through this event and others he has cultivated valuable relationships with private partners including Aura 360, Jeep, Redbull, and Crocs. Rory’s hard work in these areas has translated into thousands of dollars in revenue for Parks and thousands of happy event-goers on Parkland.

Rory will oversee the special events arm of the division and will continue to forge more effective relationships with other city agencies.

Please join me in wishing him well in this new position.

Betsy Smith

Assistant Commissioner, Revenue & Marketing

GO GREEN!

Eco-Friendly Tip of the Day

“Print on both sides of computer paper or use the back side of old documents for faxes, scrap paper, or drafts.”

“10 Ways to Go Green at Work.” www.Sierraclub.org

“There is a good reason they call these ceremonies ‘commencement exercises.’

Graduation is not the end; it's the beginning.”

Orrin Hatch

(1934 - )

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