Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton praises American Forests' report detailing tree-cover cost-benefits in five New York cities.

New York has stepped up its greening efforts with an initiative aimed at replanting trees in five cities: Syracuse, Binghamton, Buffalo, Rochester, and Poughkeepsie. The Urban Forestry Initiative has received the blessing of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) and the backing of several corporate sponsors.

Clinton celebrated the project's beginning in May during a press conference with American Forests' executive director Deborah Gangloff, Syracuse Mayor Matthew J. Driscoll, and representatives from Cornell University and State University of New York-Syracuse, Environmental Science and Forestry.

"Ozone pollution is a serious health problem in New York, and trees are the perfect remedy," Clinton said. "We need to do everything we can to help our cities become cleaner and greener, and I believe this initiative is a fantastic start."

Part of the drive behind the Initiative came from a new report, issued simultaneously, which details the cost-benefits of expanded tree-cover in urban areas. The report, "Greening New York's Cities: A Guide to How Trees Can Clean Our Water, Improve Our Air, and Save Our Money," also provides target goals, a "guide to city greening," and "a list of useful resources for all cities interested in urban forestry."

American Forests, which conducted the survey, found that all five cities fell below the recommended 40 percent tree cover totals in the East. Existing totals ranged from 11.4 percent in Buffalo to 37 percent in Binghamton. Tree cover in the other three cities totaled in the 20 percent range-23.9 percent for Rochester, 24 percent for Poughkeepsie, and 26.7 percent for Syracuse.

Estimates were then made of the number of trees needed in each of the cities and the value of those new trees for air and water quality.

The number of trees that will need to be planted over the next 10 years is huge. For example, Buffalo will need to plant 3,426 trees each year. But, the report shows, the benefits will be even greater. And the amounts seem attainable, given the 10-year time frame and the fact that 90 percent of the planting spaces are on private property and most city plantings are in the parks and open spaces.

As outlined in the report, cities with more trees need fewer stormwater facilities and can reduce air pollution more cheaply. And using the ecosystem services that trees provide means it costs less to run a city-and creates one whose citizens are healthier. Trees can also help cities avoid expensive fines for noncompliance with Environmental Protection Agency standards.

The nonprofit Trees New York; International Paper; HSBC; Starbucks; Niagara-Mohawk, a National Grid Company; and specialty retailer Eddie Bauer donated more than 500 trees to kick-start the replanting. To help, contact American Forests at 800/368-5748 ext. 218.

"This is the perfect example of the success we can create for our cities and our environment when we bring business, government, research, and communities together," Clinton said.

DC in a Week

American Forests recently cosponsored the 7th annual Week in Washington, which teaches forest practitioners about the federal legislative and policy processes and how to participate. The event, held June 14-18, was also sponsored by the National Network of Forest Practitioners, the Pinchot Institute for Conservation, the Communities Committee of the Seventh American Forest Conference, and the Society of American Foresters.

Conferees attended a variety of training sessions, work groups, lectures, and presentations with an array of "Capitol Beltway" insiders. The conferees met with federal agencies and congressional staff to share their knowledge and perspectives. This year's participants came from across the United States and represented myriad cultures and backgrounds, but found many dealt with similar issues in their home communities.

This sense of fellowship, along with a newly acquired political savvy, gave participants a more confident voice in meetings with government officials and even propelled some to go to congressional offices to meet with staffers. As the week came to a close, conferees took the information they had learned in DC home to apply in their local communities, the message 'Stay Engaged' echoing in their ears. -Will Clattenburg

Trees at Sea

The Queen Mary 2 will set sail for London next spring with a flower and garden-themed trip.

Think trees at sea next spring, when American Forests joins Cunard's flagship Queen Mary 2 for a flower and garden-themed trip across "the big pond." Sailing from New York City on Saturday, May 28, the seven-day, six-night cruise to London, England, will feature morning seminars given by American Forests executive director Deborah Gangloff and Jeff Meyer, project director of American Forests' Historic Tree Nursery.

A contribution will be made to American Forests for every cabin sold on the "Great Gardens, Palaces & Castles of Great Britain" tour. Gangloff and Meyer will offer planting tips and tell stories of tree hunting adventures, plantings around the world, encounters with celebrities, and efforts to help save the Siberian tiger.

The ship itself offers plenty to do with five swimming pools, eight restaurants, a planetarum, live entertainment, a spa, pub, casino, formal teas, and duty-free shopping.

Once the ship docks in Southampton, England's fabled wooded settings will come to life. Participants will tour Windsor Castle and lunch at Henry VIII's hunting lodge and sightsee at Leeds Castle and Gardens, storied Canterbury, and Dover, with its ancient castle sitting atop the famous white cliffs. There will be a half-day tour of Hampton Court Palace and Privy Gardens and a half-day tour of the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew, world-renowned for its research labs and seed conservation efforts. Participants also will tour Kensington Palace and Gardens, former home of the princesses Diana and Margaret.

Time will be given during the stay for participants to explore London on their own, including the city's wide selection of theater offerings.

Arrangements for the "Great Gardens, Palaces & Castles of Great Britain" tour are provided by VanGuard Tours & Cruises of Alexandria, Virginia. Prices start at $2,995 and include all meals and entertainment aboard ship, return airfare from London to New York, accommodations and breakfasts in London, and all necessary transfers and admissions. You must book through VanGuard to attend the seminars at sea.

For more information, visit VanGuard's website, www.cruisevanguard.com or call 800/624-7718. Be sure that you mention American Forests when calling.

Wanted: Collectors of Historic Seed

Want to add some history and meaning to an upcoming vacation? American Forests' Historic Tree Nursery is looking for volunteers to collect seeds from historic trees. The Nursery grows seedlings from famous and historic trees around the country, including a tulip poplar from George Washington's Mount Vernon home, sycamores on the campus of what is now Princeton University planted to celebrate the repeal of the Stamp Act, and the last surviving apple tree planted by Johnny Appleseed.

It's a unique way to connect with history while traveling to battlefields and areas made famous by presidents, artists, or civil rights leaders. As an incentive, those who collect from one tree will receive Leatherman's Wave, a travel-size all-in-one toolkit. Collect from two trees and receive a Magellan GPS unit. Collect from three and receive a Nikon Rangefinder, which allows you to determine distances, tree heights, and more.

You do not need previous experience to sign up as a seed collector. Find out more about historic trees.

Greener by 2

American Forests and H.E. Butt Grocery Stores of San Antonio, Texas, have entered into an agreement to help HEB celebrate its 100 years of service to communities in Texas and Mexico. Under the agreement, American Forests will work with HEB to introduce Living Classrooms, its environmental education and tree planting program, to 40 communities in Texas as well as provide teacher training and lesson plans to implement American Forests' CITYgreen education program in schools designated by the company. In addition, HEB and American Forests will plant trees affiliated with Texas history in HEB communities to help the grocery store chain celebrate its commitment to communities throughout its marketing area.

Also, American Forests wants to thank IKEA stores in Maryland; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and the Washington, DC, metro area for contributing a portion of proceeds from a plant sale to American Forests to plant trees in damaged forest ecosystems. The plant sale resulted in $34,508 to plant a corresponding number of trees.