New York Restoration Project

About New York Restoration Project

New York Restoration Project (NYRP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reclaiming and restoring New York City parks, community gardens and open spaces in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods throughout the city's five boroughs. In partnership with the City of New York, NYRP is also leading MillionTreesNYC.

Since its founding in 1995 by Bette Midler, NYRP has achieved dramatic results by investing in the greening and beautification of underserved communities throughout New York City. NYRP staff and a corps of volunteers have planted hundreds of thousands of trees, shrubs and flowers to support the restoration of the City's parks and community gardens; removed more than 1,887 tons of garbage and debris from project sites; saved 114 community gardens from commercial development; transformed an illegal dumping ground into the five-acre Swindler Cove Park and Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse; and launched the largest, urban reforestation campaign in America, while continuing to serve thousands of families and at-risk youth through environmental education programs and events. In partnership with national and community-based organizations, NYRP and its growing membership work everyday to revitalize, support and advocate for New York City's public parks, community gardens, green spaces and urban forest.

About MillionTreesNYC

On Earth Day 2007, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg announced the details of PlaNYC 2030 – a long-term sustainability plan to address the needs of New York City's growing population and aging infrastructure. During his address, the Mayor described urban greening and environmental stewardship as centerpieces of his sustainability vision. Recognizing the benefits trees provide to city residents, neighborhoods and the urban environment, PlaNYC establishes the ambitious goal of planting one million new trees throughout the City's five boroughs by 2015. As a result of this groundbreaking initiative – MillionTreesNYC — New York City will expand its urban forest by an astounding 20 percent, realizing the many environmental, health and economic benefits that come with planting trees.

MillionTreesNYC is an initiative of Mayor Bloomberg's PlaNYC and a public-private partnership led by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and NYRP. To achieve the initiative's goals, MillionTreesNYC also engages community, nonprofit, government and corporate partners throughout the City. Mayor Bloomberg and NYRP Founder Bette Midler officially launched MillionTreesNYC on October 9, 2007.