BAPS Charities Supports the Environment by Providing 300,000 Trees
(Left) Chris Topik, Director of Plant a Billion Trees at The Nature Conservancy, speaking on the occasion of receiving BAPS Charities' donation, raised through the Walk Green events in Atlanta and around the country.
Atlanta participated in BAPS Charities Walk Green 2018 on April 15, 2018 at Lilburn Elementary School. Funds raised contributed to the $166,000 presented to The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in August to plant trees. The donation will help plant a billion trees by 2025 and 130,000 trees by the end of 2018.
BAPS Charities celebrated a three-year partnership with The Nature Conservancy (TNC) through its Walk Green initiative, a series of walkathons hosted by BAPS Charities across North America. Beginning in 2016, BAPS Charities coordinated efforts with TNC to raise funds for the Plant a Billion Trees initiative, and on August 24, 2018, presented the final gift of $166,000 to TNC executives and program leadership in Chino Hills, California. BAPS Charities volunteers and donors provided a total of 300,000 trees to TNC, made possible by $431,000 in total funds raised over three years by 23,000 walkers at 76 cities across the nation. TNC staff and leaders attended several of these walks, educating walkers about the importance of environmental protection and the urgent need for all people to become active stewards of the environment.
Chris Topik, Director of Plant a Billion Trees at The Nature Conservancy, stands behind BAPS Charities volunteers as BAPS Charities donates $166,000 to The Nature Conservancy to help plant a billion trees by 2025.
BAPS Charities volunteers and Board members presented The Nature Conservancy’s Chris Topik, Director of Plant a Billion Trees; Maria Fisher, Donor Stewardship Officer; and Erin Daly, Donor Relations Manager, with the check which was followed by a tree-planting ceremony.
“Tree planting and reforestation are the most rewarding ways to improve wildlife habitats and cities, foster clean and abundant waters, and mitigate carbon emissions that cause climate change,” Chris noted during his visit to Chino Hills. “Thanks to the contribution of BAPS Charities volunteers we’ve been able to replant longleaf pine trees in the southern U.S., which have a natural resilience to catastrophic storms, but only 3% of this once common forest-type remains. Your support also planted thousands of shortleaf pine trees in the Mississippi Alluvial Valley where the land has witnessed mass deforestation due to agricultural overdevelopment. These newly planted trees create opportunities for carbon sequestration and improve lives.”
Erin Daly participated in the event for her third year in a row and remarked, “BAPS Charities volunteers have engaged the next generation of children and young people in passionate ownership of environmental stewardship, unlike any other organization I have seen.” Over the last six months, BAPS Charities hosted their annual walkathons across North America. Walkers from all age groups joined together in the spirit of service and community support to make each walk a great success. The Nature Conservancy’s efforts focus on protecting habitats and preserving biodiversity across the world. In addition to targeted conservation efforts, The Nature Conservancy also invests in research related to conservation and climate change to drive their international efforts.
“Participating in the BAPS Charities Walkathon is a tradition for my family. Walk Green is a focused effort to make a measurable impact in the world. Every year we come together and use the opportunity to support the causes that BAPS Charities carefully selects," said 19-year-old Rucha Modi.
With a commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, the continued partnership between The Nature Conservancy and BAPS Charities is only natural. BAPS Charities’ mission supports five programmatic areas: environmental protection, health, education, youth development, and disaster relief.
“BAPS Charities activities reinforce the importance of serving others, raising awareness about important causes, and this year, protecting the planet through practice is important to my family and me,” said Katha Patel, a participant in the day’s activities.
BAPS Charities leverages community walks as opportunities to instill a spirit of service and commitment to preservation and environmental responsibility in community members. Through participation in events and fundraising activities like Walkathons, participants are actively engaged in conversations and action around sustainability and conservation, becoming owners rather than bystanders. More widely in its operations, BAPS Charities participates in energy efficiency planning through prioritizing the use of solar power, efficient fiber optics and lighting fixtures, drought-resistant trees and plants, as well as the use of AstroTurf to limit water use. This culture of environmental responsibility is at the core of BAPS Charities’ work and culture in promoting natural harmony.
###About BAPS Charities
BAPS Charities is a global charity active in nine countries across five continents. Volunteers drive its efforts, dedicating a portion of their lives in selfless service of others, both in their local neighborhoods as well as globally. Working in five key areas, BAPS Charities aims to express a spirit of selfless service through Health Awareness, Educational Services, Humanitarian Relief, Environmental Protection & Preservation, and Community Empowerment. From organizing Walkathons that raise funds for local and global needs, to supporting humanitarian relief in times of urgent need; from hosting community health fairs to sustaining hospitals and schools in developing countries, BAPS Charities provides an opportunity for individuals wishing to serve locally and globally.
CONTACT: BAPS Charities Phone: 732-777-1414 ex 140
Email: media@na.bapscharities.org
Press Release: http://bit.ly/TNC-Press-release
Images: http://bit.ly/TNC-Donation2018
[The article above is a Website Bonus Feature, appearing only on the website for August 2018, not in the print/digital issues.]
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