In a partnership to plant trees in local communities across the USA, BAPS Charities presented The Nature Conservancy (TNC) with a donation of $100,000 raised entirely by a robust 17,000-person volunteer force. The donation will help plant 70,000 trees in 2016 and supports the Plant a Billion Trees initiative.
TNC executives and program leadership arrived in Robbinsville, New Jersey, on September 10, 2016, to meet one of 53 teams from around the country who worked together to make the contribution possible.
BAPS Charities youth and Board members, presented The Nature Conservancy’s Maria Fisher, Annual Giving & Stewardship Officer; John Stapleton, Legacy Club Donor Relations Manager; and Erin Daly, Donor Relations Manager (New Jersey) with the check which was followed by a tree-planting ceremony.
Mark Tercek, President and CEO of The Nature Conservancy, in a video message said, “It means a lot to us that your support is made possible by the thousands of BAPS Charities volunteers who believe, like we do, that a healthy planet is critical to building healthy communities where both nature and people can thrive,” said. BAPS Charities has shown that serving as good stewards of the planet is the collective responsibility that you take seriously. We also appreciate how you bring awareness to environmental issues and environmental opportunities on occasions like Earth Day and by supporting initiatives like planting trees, promoting water conservation and renewable energy sources.”
Speaking on the occasion, Erin Daly, Donor Relations Manager said, “Thank you to BAPS Charities for your incredibly generous contribution to The Nature Conversancy’s plant a billion initiate in North America. I was especially inspired to see so many children and teenagers participating, not just in the walk but also in the opening ceremonies, and management of the walk. Engaging the next generation of stewards for our planet is extremely crucial, and I am glad BAPS Charities shares that commitment.”
John Stapleton, The Nature Conservancy’s Legacy Club Donor Relations Manager, said, “The leadership, support and successful promotion of conversation through the BAPS Charities nationwide walkathons, has raised awareness and support for the restoration of forests in the United States. I would like to command BAPS Charities and its unique civil mobilization that transcends nations, states, and ages, harnesses a deep sense of volunteerism and inspires and as well empowers us to step up the environmental challenges of our times. You are our true partner in conservation. Thank you.”
Donations were gathered by over 17,000 walkers by walking over 52,000 collective miles in 53 locations across the USA. Attendees spanned a myriad of ages. BAPS Charities actively supports environmental sustainability efforts throughout the year through recycling projects and utilizing solar power. BAPS Charities is also involved with tree planting and water conservation efforts as well as promoting effective management practices in activities to ensure optimal and efficient energy consumption.
