Lending a Hand

Bank of America and its employees joined forces in five cities in spring 2014, rolling up their sleeves to bring urban spaces to life.

In Dallas, Phoenix, New York, Boston and Tampa, Bank of America volunteers dug rain gardens, built outdoor classrooms, and planted trees to mark Earth Day 2014. That was just one part of a commitment made by Bank of America in 2013, when it partnered with NFWF to support community-based conservation. Projects focused on the stewardship and restoration of coasts, wetlands and shorelines across the country.

In densely developed urban areas, conservation actions provide important benefits for degraded ecological systems. The projects supported by Bank of America employees will enhance habitat for wildlife species, while making communities better places for all living creatures.

More than 200 Bank of America volunteers were expected to participate in the five urban projects through May 3, 2014. Planned events included:

  • A “Big Dig” at Arthur Kramer Elementary School in Dallas, where volunteers worked with Real School Gardens to construct an outdoor classroom, vegetable beds and more;
  • A public demonstration of green infrastructure in downtown Phoenix, developed with Green Streets-Green Neighborhoods Program, to increase community members’ knowledge and skills while expanding urban wildlife habitat;
  • A New York City tree-planting with Natural Areas Volunteers in VanCortlandt Park, which helped to restore the forest canopy by adding more than 1,000 trees and shrubs as part of the MillionTreesNYC  initiative;
  • A rain garden rehab in Boston in collaboration with Mystic River Watershed Association, to remove pollutants from stormwater runoff before it enters the Mystic River; and
  • Seagrass replanting in the salt marshes of Tampa Bay with Tampa Bay Watch, to provide habitat for fish and wildlife.

“These activities are big wins for the local communities,” Bank of America Global Environmental Executive Alex Liftman said. “They will create environmental benefits, health benefits, and economic benefits. I’m proud that the connection between NFWF, its local partners and Bank of America is making that happen.”