News from New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

For more information contact: Arturo Garcia-Costas, 718-482-7287

Media Advisory

State and City Partner for Major Landscape Restoration Effort on Staten Island

ALBANY, NY (04/11/2008; 1534)(readMedia)-- DEC Commissioner Grannis and Local Elected Officials Join More than 100 Volunteers to Plant 2500 Trees at the Mt. Loretto Unique Area

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), New York Cares, and MillionTreesNYC are partnering for a major effort to restore the landscape of Mt. Loretto Unique Area by planting 2,500 trees on Saturday, April 12 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. NYSDEC Commissioner Pete Grannis, State Senator Anthony Lanza and other local elected officials will make brief remarks at noon and then join more than 100 volunteers as they plant nearly a dozen variety of trees on the property.

A part of New York Cares’ 14th Annual Hands On New York Day, this effort will take place against the scenic backdrop of the Mt. Loretto Unique Area and feature the single largest concentration of trees planted during the city-wide campaign to plant 20,000 trees in a single day. Through this initiative, vacant land formerly occupied by the St. Rose’s Villa Girls School and St. Elizabeth Orphanage will be restored to wooded landscape.

What: Landscape Restoration and Tree Planting

Where: Mt. Loretto Unique Area on Staten Island

When: 12:00 PM, Saturday, April 12, 2008

Who: NYSDEC Commissioner Pete Grannis, State Senator Anthony Lanza and other Local Elected Officials

Visuals: Commissioner Grannis and Local Elected Officials will plant trees after brief remarks.