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December 15, 2011
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LOCAL foundations working together to help renew
Pasadena’s urban forest following windstorm
The city of Pasadena lost close to 1,100 trees of all sizes and species on streets and in parks during the recent hurricane-force windstorm and at least 70 more park trees have been damaged and are being assessed for their chances of survival.
Now two local foundations are working together to help renew the public portion of Pasadena’s urban forest by replacing those lost trees.
The Pasadena Community Foundation has teamed up with Pasadena Beautiful Foundation to establish the Windstorm Tree Fund for Pasadena to raise money for the purchase and planting of replacement trees on city property.
Pasadena Community Foundation, a non-profit, tax-exempt public charity created by and for the people of Pasadena, will match up to $10,000 in donations to the fund. All donations to the Windstorm Tree Fund for Pasadena are tax deductible and organizers stress that every penny donated will be used for the sole purpose of planting new trees.
“We all treasure the beauty of Pasadena, and trees are an essential part of that,” said City Manager Michael J. Beck. "Without us having to ask, these two organizations saw the need, came to the city and offered their help. In a time of very tight budgets, this kind of support from our residents is especially welcome and we’re very grateful.”
“Trees are one of the blessings of the city that everyone can enjoy,” explained Jennifer DeVoll, executive director of the Pasadena Community Foundation. “As a foundation for this community, we felt it was important to respond to the recent disaster, and replanting trees seemed like a great way to help. Partnering with Pasadena Beautiful made sense. They have such a long track record of working with the city to plant trees and protect our urban forest.”
Pasadena Beautiful Foundation, a non-profit community organization, has worked with the city of Pasadena for 50 years to plant and protect trees. “Our urban forest is what makes our community livable,” said Emina Darakjy, past president of Pasadena Beautiful Foundation. “Besides adding a natural beauty, trees provide quantifiable economic, ecosystem and health benefits.”
Donations to the fund may be made at www.pasadenabeautiful.org (click on Make a Donation) or mailed to Pasadena Beautiful Foundation, 140 S. Lake Ave., Suite 268, Pasadena CA 91101.