The Greater Philadelphia Area
July 28, 2013 was a record rainfall day for the City Of Philadelphia with over 8 inches being recorded at the Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). Power to the airport’s terminal A failed causing delays for many flights.
The rainfall made July the wettest July in history. June was also a record month for precipitation.
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Mayor Michael A. Nutter made the following statement on President Obama’s Climate Change Address:
“The broad and comprehensive climate action plan unveiled today by President Obama gives us a path forward to making meaningful reductions in carbon pollution while preparing for the impacts of climate change. With this bold undertaking, the President is acting in the best interests of the American people to address one of our nation’s greatest threats.
Local governments have a major role to play in this national effort as changing and variable climate has tremendous implications for the livability, competitiveness and resilience of our communities. Cities across the country are taking the lead. Since 2009 through our Greenworks Philadelphia plan, we have been advancing work on a wide range of sustainability initiatives and will release a climate preparedness plan later this year. We have already made significant progress, including a reduction in City government’s energy use by 7%, a reduction in citywide greenhouse gas emissions by 8% and a reduction in vehicle miles traveled by more than 10%. But there is much more to do.
I applaud President Obama for bringing leadership and focus to the reality of climate change and for urging national dialogue and action. The United States can and should be the leader in the transition to a clean energy economy. The extreme weather events affecting communities across the country are making it clear that we can no longer spend time arguing over indisputable science or waiting for the political sands to shift. We must take action now.”
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation (PP&R) in partnership with the Fairmount Park Conservancy and Wells Fargo & Company, announced that registration for the spring 2013 TreePhilly giveaway is now open. TreePhilly is a yearlong initiative that engages Philadelphia property owners, businesses and neighbors to plant and maintain trees. Starting today through March 31st, property owners can submit requests for a free yard tree to plant on their private property.
“TreePhilly is an investment in our city’s future,” said Mayor Michael A. Nutter. “Our city will be healthier, safer and more attractive as a result of the trees we plant through this program. This year, Philadelphians can ask for more than one tree and we have more locations for pick-up. I would like to thank Wells Fargo & Company and the Fairmount Park Conservancy for their support of this important initiative.”
As TreePhilly embarks on its second year, there are a few new features to the program. More trees will be available for residents this year, increasing the yard tree give away totals from 4,000 to 5,000 trees (2,500 for this spring). Philadelphia residential property owners can request up to two trees and community groups that own large private properties with community access, such as faith-based institutions and senior centers, can register for up to 10 trees. TreePhilly is offering a total of nine pick-up locations on seven different days in April (see details below). Participants who pre-register for the yard tree giveaway will be able to select their pick-up site and date. At each pick-up location, TreePhilly will offer tree planting and care demonstrations. Those who participate in the demonstration will receive a free raffle ticket for a free tree watering bag. Additionally, TreePhilly will be offering free mulch for TreePhilly participants at select pick-up locations.
“With the continued support of our great partners and building off the tremendous success of last year’s TreePhilly campaign, the2013 TreePhilly campaign will enable even more Philadelphia property owners to receive free trees and learn about the numerous benefits of planting trees. This spring we are very excited to offer community groups, such as senior centers and faith-based institutions, as many as ten free trees to plant on their properties and be enjoyed by their communities,” said Michael DiBerardinis, Deputy Mayor for Environmental and Community Resources.
“We have seen great success in engaging Philadelphians to plant and care for trees as part of the TreePhilly program. Wells Fargo has been an extraordinary corporate partner of Treephilly, from their financial support to promoting TreePhilly through their branches and ATMs. The Fairmount Park Conservancy is truly grateful for their support both last year and this year – an example of how successful public-private partnerships can be,” said Kathryn Ott Lovell, Executive Director of the Fairmount Park Conservancy.
“Wells Fargo is pleased to renew our commitment to the TreePhilly program because of this program’s success in making Philadelphia more attractive and environmentally sound for generations of future Philadelphians,” said Vince Liuzzi, Wells Fargo’s regional president for Greater Philadelphia/Delaware. “Tree Philly aligns with our commitment to environmental stewardship and will further the vision of Philadelphia’s founding father, William Penn, of Philadelphia as a ‘greene country towne’.”
The yard tree pick-up dates and locations are as follows:
Sat. April 6th, 2-4pm, Second Baptist Church of Frankford (1801 Meadow St. 19124)
Sun. April 7th, 11am-1pm, New Kensington CDC Garden Center (1825 Frankford Ave. 19125)
Thurs. April 11th, 4:30-6:30pm, Haddington Library (446 N 65th St. 19151)
Sat. April 13th, 10am-12pm, Columbus Square Playground (1200 Wharton St. 19147)
Sat. April 13th, 10am-12pm, Pennypack Environmental Center (8600 Verree Rd. 19115)
Sat. April 13th, 1-3pm, Pennypack Environmental Center (8600 Verree Rd. 19115)
Sat. April 13th, 3-5pm, Pennypack Environmental Center (8600 Verree Rd. 19115)
Sun. April 14th, 2-4pm, West Oak Lane Library (2000 Washington Lane, 19138)
Sat. April 20th, 12-2pm, Hunting Park Recreation Center (900 Hunting Park Ave. 19140)
Residents with limited mobility can apply for free tree delivery and planting by a representative from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Space for this service is limited and residents are encouraged to apply early by contacting Erica Smith Fichman at 215-683-0217 or by visiting www.treephilly.org. Finally, if a resident does not register for a tree, there will be a “leftovers” day schedule in April (exact date to be determined), , where extra trees will be available to residents on a first-come, first-served basis.
There are several ways citizens can get involved with TreePhilly, including planting and caring for trees on their property, volunteering for a tree planting event in their local park, or sponsoring community service days to plant and maintain trees. For more information, citizens can visit www.treephilly.org or call 215-683-0217. For more information about the Fairmount Park Conservancy, please visit www.myphillypark.org. To stay up to date on Fairmount Park Conservancy projects and news, visit the Conservancy’s Facebook Page at www.Facebook.com/FairmountParkConservancy or follow the Conservancy on Twitter @myphillypark.