American Forests and Bank of America Announce Urban Tree Program to Improve Atlanta Schools

ATLANTA, October 24, 2013 — At a tree planting event today at Price Middle School, the national conservation organization American Forests, alongside funding partners the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and U.S. Forest Service, announced that it will be studying the trees and natural environment surrounding Atlanta schools, known as an urban forest, in order to assess the benefits the environment currently provides to the students and develop tools and resources for increasing the impact of the schools’ landscapes on health and performance.

Studies have shown that trees and other greenery help reduce symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD, in children, as well as reduce stress levels. Trees and other forms of vegetation also are correlated to stronger community cohesion, improved health and well-being and lower crime rates. These social and health benefits are in addition to the better known benefits trees provide, such as cleaner air and water.

“It is important that all children are able to attend school in a healthy, happy, productive environment,” said Scott Steen, American Forests CEO. “Through our analysis of various Atlanta schoolyards, we will be able to work with the schools, Bank of America in Atlanta and other local partners to make sure that the trees around the schools are contributing to the health and success of our young people.”

Today’s event, hosted by local nonprofit Trees Atlanta where local Bank of America employee volunteers and students helped plant trees at Price Middle School, is just one of many that will be conducted at Atlanta-area schools. Over the next few months, under the commission of American Forests, Davey Resource Group, a division of The Davey Tree Expert Company, will be visiting a variety of schools, gathering data and analyzing the tree coverage. Then, based on the results, American Forests, Bank of America and the Forest Service will be working with local partners to conduct strategic tree planting efforts at a variety of schools throughout Atlanta to enhance student performance and health.

“At Bank of America, we are committed to helping Atlanta’s schools and children,” said Geri Thomas, Georgia market president, Bank of America. “By working with American Forests and local partners on this restoration project, we are investing in a landscape that will provide benefits to the city for years and generations to come.”

U.S Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell has called urban trees “the hardest working trees in America.” The Forest Service is active in more than 7,000 communities across the U.S., helping them to better plan and manage their urban forests.

This assessment and restoration work in Atlanta is part of the new American Forests Community ReLeaf program, which is doing assessments in five cities this fall. With funding support from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation and the U.S. Forest Service, Community ReLeaf is conducting analyses in Asbury Park, N.J.; Atlanta, Ga.; Detroit, Mich.; Nashville, Tenn.; and Pasadena, Calif., to help improve knowledge about and of the benefits urban forests provide to cities and their residents.