Markus Lupfer, the critically acclaimed, London-based fashion designer, has designed an exclusive, limited edition T-shirt in support of urban tree planting charity Trees for Cities, as part of their 2012 fundraising Tree-Athlon event.

Staying true to his famed brand of fun, statement casuals, the bold, playful T-shirt design has been printed onto Continental Clothing’s EarthPositive Apparel T-shirts, made from 100% organic cotton with 90% reduced CO2 footprint, to make sure they are fully environmentally friendly.

Markus says of his involvement: “Trees are such an important part of our urban experience so I am delighted to be part of Trees for Cities’ 2012 Tree-Athlon, helping to raise awareness and funds for more trees to be planted in inner city environments all over the World.”

The T-shirt will be given to all participants of the 5km run Tree-Athlon, which takes place on Saturday 15^th September in Battersea Park. It will also be available to buy exclusively on the day for £15.00, along with a limited number of ‘Giles Deacon for Trees for Cities’ T-shirts, which he designed for the 2011 edition of the event.

All profits raised from the Tree-Athlon and T-shirt sales will go directly to Trees for Cities, helping them to continue with their work to beautify and improve our urban environments around the World, through planting, education and community projects.

Taking place in London’s beautiful Battersea Park, the Tree-Athlon comprises of three parts like a traditional triathlon: a 5km run, a 100m barefoot sprint and a free sapling tree for every runner to take home and plant. In addition, a family friendly festival takes place across the day, including live music, children’s games, arts & crafts and food stalls.

Sharon Johnson, CEO of Trees for Cities says: ‘I’m delighted Markus Lupfer is supporting our Tree-Athlon this year – enabling us to thank all our Tree-Athletes for their support by giving each and every one of them an exclusive t-shirt from a fantastic London-based designer. The money raised by the Tree-athletes helps towards the planting and care of thousands of urban trees in cities across the UK and internationally – and if that’s not enough, runners and spectators alike are in for a fun family day out with lots of activities and entertainment for everyone!’

All participants need to register online via the Trees for Cities website: www.treesforcities.org

All media enquiries:

Lucy Swan at Margaret: 020 7923 2861 / lucyswan@margaretlondon.com

Notes to Editors:

Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities’ aim is to create social cohesion and beautify our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in Addis Ababa, Nairobi and Ica, Peru. Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects. Involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of green spaces.

Trees For Cities Patrons include Neil Fox, Alistair McGowan, Jon Snow, Jamie Oliver and Sir Richard Rogers.

www.treesforcities.org

Become a Guinness world record holder! There aren’t many days when you can become a world record holder, listen to live music, pick up a free tree, take a 5km fun run (optional!) and enjoy live family entertainment – but one of them is coming up soon.

Taking place on Saturday 15 September in one of London’s most beautiful parks the Tree-Athlon, organised by Trees for Cities, a charity dedicated to turning Britain’s cities green, is a three part event with a green twist in the spirit of a traditional triathlon.

Trees for Cities are looking to encourage people to sign up, take part and help raise vital funds which help keep our cities green, healthy and beautiful.

The first part of the day is the 5km run around Battersea Park – with every runner getting an exclusive free T-shirt designed by acclaimed fashion designer, Markus Lupfer (whose work is normally to be found in Net-a-porter, Selfridges and boutiques).

The second bit of the Tree-Athlon is a 100m barefoot run – hopefully setting a new world record for the number taking part at the same time.

The third segment is a fabulous free family festival with live music from the VW Campervan stage, a free UK-native sapling for everyone to take home and plant, children’s games, bird box-making, a golden face painting caravan, hula hooping, stilt walkers and nature arts and crafts.

The fun starts from 9am on Saturday 15th September with the 5km race starting at 10.15am.

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities, said: “Our Tree-Athlon is a fun day out for all the family. The money raised by the Tree-athletes helps towards the planting and care of thousands of urban trees across the UK and internationally.”

Last year almost 900 people took part in the 5km fun run, raising over £40,000 for Trees for Cities and 416 people also took part in the successful world record attempt for the 100m barefoot, including Radio DJ Gaby Roslin, who hosted the fundraiser.

The charity’s supporters include supermodel Lily Cole, Radio DJ Gaby Roslin, TV Presenter Ben Fogle, comedian Shazia Mirza, TV sports presenter, Gabby Logan, TV garden designer Diarmuid Gavin, and Channel 4’s City Gardener Matt James, Blue Peter Gardener Chris Collins and Fashion designer, Giles Deacon.

Register now: http://www.treesforcities.org/get-involved/tree-athlon/

Battersea Park, London – Saturday 15th September

All media enquiries: Lucy Swan: lucyswan@margaretlondon.com Telephone number: Office: 0207 923 2861, Mobile: 07540789383

Notes to Editors: Trees for Cities is an independent charity, which inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities’ aim is to create social cohesion and beautify our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in cities such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Kigali, Ica and La Paz. Our work supports urban tree planting initiatives particularly in deprived areas of cities.

Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects. Involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of green spaces.

Trees for Cities patrons include Jon Snow, Jamie Oliver, Neil Fox, Chris Collins, Alistair McGowan and Sir Richard Rogers. www.treesforcities.org

An innovative new series of children’s tree characters, “The Treebillies”, is today being launched exclusively at Green Rewards. The brain-child of the illustrator Terry Carter and the environmentalist Graham Simmonds (Graham is founder and managing director at Green Rewards as well as chairing the environmental charity Trees for Cities); the first two books in the series, Oscar the Oak and Wendy the Willow, have been published by Treehouse Publishing and are exclusively available in the online eco store on the Green Rewards Green Shop.

26 April 2012

Former The Really Wild Show presenter and environmentalist Chris Packham today rolled up his sleeves to help launch Lambeth park’s green makeover.

The Springwatch frontman planted the final birch tree to complete the revitalised Trees for Cities community orchard, which has been created with help from a £20,000 donation from Velvet.  Chris had help planting the commemorative tree, with green fingered children from the reception class at St. Saviours Primary School, Lambeth, also getting stuck in.

Velvet, which produces ethically luxurious ranges of ‘soft, soft’, soft’ toilet tissue and facial tissues, ran a national search via its Facebook page to find the urban area in Britain most in need of green space, promising that the winning area would then be transformed into a green haven for the local community to enjoy.

London was the resounding winner and Velvet and Trees for Cities then worked together to identify a suitable location. The winner was Ruskin Park, which is a favourite with dog walkers, families and joggers. The grant has been used to create a fruit maze, outdoor classroom and wildflower meadow bank, as well as extending the orchard.

Tree planting charity Trees for Cities has run workshops with local residents, groups and schools to engage the community. The local community will work with the Friends of Ruskin Park group to maintain the green space so that the community can continue to enjoy it together.

This is the second year that tissue brand Velvet, which has a commitment to plant three trees for every one it uses in tissue production, has run the competition with charity Trees for Cities.

Nature lover Chris, 50, said: “I believe passionately in Velvet’s three trees promise, which is why I was happy to participate in the event at Ruskin Park. Velvet is a responsible brand which believes strongly in contributing to the environment, which is why it has my support.”

Traci Baxter from Velvet said: “It’s great to be part of such an important project. The orchard looks beautiful and will be something the local community can enjoy for years to come. Velvet supports various tree planting initiatives and we think it’s important we do our bit for the environment.”

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities said:  We are delighted to be working in partnership with Velvet on this fantastic community project. The revitalised community orchard will help improve the park’s biodiversity whilst encouraging the local community to play a more active part in their environment.’

Notes for editors

For more information please contact Vanessa Munnings or Andrea Grosbois.

01353 669939

Trees for Cities is an independent charity that inspires people to plant and love trees worldwide. Set up as Trees for London in 1993, Trees for Cities’ aim is to create social cohesion and beautify our cities through tree planting, community-led design, education and training initiatives in urban areas that need it most.

We manage projects across the UK and Ireland as well as internationally in cities such as Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Kigali, Ica and La Paz. Our work supports urban tree planting initiatives particularly in deprived areas of cities.

Community-led design is an integral part of our landscaping projects. Involving local residents, schools and community groups helps ensure the sustainability of green spaces.

Trees for Cities patrons include Jon Snow, Jamie Oliver, Neil Fox, Chris Collins, Alistair McGowan and Sir Richard Rogers.

www.treesforcities.org

Velvet

SCA is a global hygiene and paper company that develops and produces personal care products, tissue, packaging solutions, publication papers and solid-wood products. Sales are conducted in some 100 countries. SCA has many well-known brands, including Velvet, Plenty, Cushelle, Bodyform and global brands TENA and Tork. Sales in 2010 amounted to SEK 107 billion (EUR 11.3 billion). SCA has approximately 45,000 employees. More information at www.sca.com

During the hosepipe ban we need Londoners to show how much they love their trees by watering them, in order they are not damaged or killed off by continuing periods of dry weather. The current hosepipe ban is in place to help conserve and protect our water supply, but there are many everyday opportunities to re-cycle the water we use at home.

Although the use of hoses is restricted, watering cans, buckets, and saucepans can all be used to get water to your trees. A thirsty tree will happily swallow your old bath and cold tea or any water you have saved up in a rainwater tank. You can use washing up liquid too, but only if you have used Eco friendly washing up detergent as there are a lot of petrol chemicals in “Normal” washing up liquids, which do not break down and could cause a build up especially in a concentrated area such as a tree pit. A minimum of 5 litres of water a week per tree is a healthy amount to see it through dry periods.

Trees that have been planted in the last three to five years are particularly vulnerable as their root systems have had less time to establish and reach out for moisture in the soil. Some trees will have been planted with irrigation pipes which carry water straight down to the roots. Why not talk to your neighbours and adopt a tree each in your local park or street? Trees in public spaces need looking after as much as those in private gardens.

Trees play an essential part in the health of our cities. They create shade reducing surface temperatures. This reduces water loss through evaporation. They actually cool the air by releasing water vapour through their leaves. This affects weather patterns and encourages rainfall. Caring for our trees is a long term way to address and mitigate climate change and the urban heat island affect in our cities.

Why not talk to your neighbours and adopt a tree each in your local park or street? All it needs is your imagination to show your love for London by looking after our precious trees.

Trees for Cities relies heavily on its well established network of volunteers and their valuable support. For the last nine months Trees for Cities, the London Tree Officers Association and the Tree Council have been getting volunteers involved in our Londoners Love Trees programme.

For further information on how to volunteer, visit our Londoners Love Trees page.

For any media enquiries, contact Lucy Swan.

KIEHL’S SINCE 1851 ANNOUNCES A NEW CHARITABLE VENTURE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL CHARITY, TREES FOR CITIES, VIA A LIMITED EDITION TOP STICKER DESIGNED BY BRIT- ILLUSTRATOR MARGOT BOWMAN

IN RECOGNITION OF EARTH MONTH (APRIL) 2012

Limited edition top sticker designed by Margot Bowman with 100% of net sales of Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream by Margot Bowman is donated to Trees for Cities

Maintaining its long-standing environmental charter, Kiehl’s, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, is pleased to announce a partnership with Brit-Illustrator Margot Bowman in recognition of leading environmental charity, Trees for Cities, through a limited edition re-design of customer favourite Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream.

Sharing the Kiehl’s commitment to its environmental charter, Margot Bowman endeavors to ensure a lifestyle whereby she helps to preserve and protect the environment. Kiehl’s and Margot are truly humbled by the work of Trees for Cities in the UK and Ireland as well as internationally. Managing community-led urban tree planting projects, design, education, and training initiatives, Trees for Cities work with in inner-city areas that need it most. The profits from this partnership will contribute to their ongoing education initiative, for which they are developing a series of edible gardens and green school playgrounds in primary schools across the UK.

Sharon Johnson Chief Executive of Trees for Cities said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Kiehl’s on this fantastic initiative which will increase awareness of the vital work we do at Trees for Cities. All money raised from the sale of the limited edition product will go towards our inner city tree planting projects, in particular our ‘edible’ school playgrounds initiative. Trees for Cities has a strong and growing relationship with the fashion and beauty industries, recently working with Giles Deacon and Jo Wood. Our new collaboration with Kiehl’s is a fantastic match, and one we hope to be long lasting.”

Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream by Margot Bowman for Trees for Cities will be available at Liberty and Kiehl’s Since 1851 stores nationwide from April 2012.

100% of net profits of the sale of the Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel-Cream go to Trees for Cities

Press contacts

For further information on Kiehl’s Since 1851 please contact:

Richard Clarke – T: 0208 762 4185 / E: rclarke@uk.loreal.com

For further information on Trees for Cities please contact:

Lucy Swan – T: 0207 923 2861 / E: lucyswan@margaretlondon.com

Urban tree-planting charity Trees for Cities and Forest Schools Birmingham are working in partnership with Conway Primary School in Birmingham to create a Community Orchard within the school’s grounds as part of the Local Food scheme funded by The Big Lottery Fund.

School children from Conway Primary have been investigating whether fruit and vegetables on sale in shops are imported and comparing their findings to existing and possible local produce from within their community. They used this information to produce a global and local food map, on display in the main school reception.

The children have voted on what fruits they would like to plant and with a helping hand from community payback and other volunteers, the children are now planting the species of trees they have chosen.

Peggy Jones, teacher at Conway Primary School said:

“The orchard will provide a unique learning opportunity for children and the wider community over the coming years and will be loved by one and all.”

The official opening ceremony for Conway Community Orchard is on Friday 24th February at 11.00am. The day will involve the children in a traditional wassailing ceremony with music, poetry and Morris dancing, putting a modern twist on the ancient custom of visiting orchards and singing to promote good harvest.

Parents are also taking part in a recipe competition using the ingredients that will be growing in the school grounds. These recipes are being used to produce an orchard recipe book to promote the project within the community.

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities, said:

“The Local Food scheme has given us a wonderful opportunity to extend and develop the work that Trees for Cities started with ‘edible playgrounds’ in 2009. It enables us to help more people improve and care for the local environment through the creation of growing food spaces and the planting of thousands of fruit and nut trees. Ultimately, we want to inspire other communities to use the knowledge and resources that we have developed to enable them to create and deliver their own food growing projects.”

Mark Wheddon, Local Food Programme Manager, said:

“Our programme is all about promoting the benefits of growing your own food, and the excellent work underway at Conway Primary School will do exactly that. As well as being fun for all involved, by inspiring future generations of food growers the project will have a lasting impact in the community, and we are delighted to support it.”

For more information on Trees for Cities and the work they do or for any media enquiries please get in touch with Lucy Swan lucyswan@margaretlondon.com / 0207 923 2861

Trees for Cities and Forest Farm Peace Garden are inviting the local community to come down and lend a hand with tree planting on Sunday 11 March at the community garden in Hainault, Redbridge.

No need to get in touch before hand, the event is free for all, and as well as taking part in the planting side of things, there will be delicious homemade food and tea, organic plants for sale, facepainting and various nature themed arts and crafts to enjoy. The event begins at 11am and continues until 4pm.

Trees for Cities and Forest Farm Peace Garden are raising awareness of the local sustainability projects to increase interest in trees and the local environment within the community. The project is supported by The Forestry Commission’s community RE:LEAF Grant Scheme and the Big Lottery Fund.

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities said “It will benefit the community by providing a peaceful haven of natural beauty for all to enjoy, as well as opportunities to learn new skills and get involved”.

Trees for Cities has planted over 70,000 trees this year and by 2013 will have planted over 300,000 trees in its 19 year existence. Trees for Cities was formed to work with local communities to plant trees in cities where they are most needed.

Mairead Lineen, Ecotherapy Worker at Forest Farm Peace Garden said “enjoying the outdoors is a great for your health and the environment. If you want to combine sustainability and wellbeing, come along to find out how to get involved”

For more information on Trees for Cities please get in touch with lucyswan@margaretlondon.com 020 7923 2861

For more information on Forest Farm Peace Garden please get in touch with natalie@forestfarmpeacegarden.org 020 8925 2435 ext 205

On March 10th environmental charity Trees for Cities are inviting local residents of the Glamis Estate West to join in a community planting event.

The event is free and there will also be face painting, a bird box making workshop, nature themed arts and craft to enjoy and an Elvis impersonator performing.

Trees for Cities have been working on Glamis Estate in partnership with EastEnd Homes & Glamis Residents Association, to improve some of the outdoor spaces on the estate for the benefit of the residents. The improvements aim to green the outdoor areas through tree planting and landscaping that adds colour and interest whilst improving the biodiversity of the estate.

The community planting event is an opportunity for residents of the estate to help with the planting and beautifying of their local environment whilst enjoying this collaborative project.

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities said “The residents on Glamis West have a real passion for improving the communal green spaces on this estate. Their local knowledge and willingness to get involved with Trees for Cities has provided a great example of community-led design”.

For further information on Trees for Cities please get in touch with Lucy Swan lucyswan@margaretlondon.com

Trees for Cities create a leafy legacy for Reading’s Prospect Park in time for the 2012 Olympics.

20 Tulip Trees and 20 Sweet Gum, trees will be planted in Prospect Park. These long living canopy trees will form an avenue, which is to be named “Olympic Way”, in celebration of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, leaving a legacy for future generations in Reading

Trees for Cities and Reading Borough Council are inviting you to come down on Saturday 17th March between 10am and 2pm and help plant these new trees as part of the 2012 Celebration Tree Planting programme across Reading. There will also be tree planting training sessions throughout the morning.

Sharon Johnson, Chief Executive of Trees for Cities says “This event will provide the community with an opportunity to learn about trees and how to look after them as well as creating a leafy legacy for Reading”.

Trees for Cities has planted over 70,000 trees this year and by 2013 will have planted over 300,000 trees in its 19 year existence. Trees for Cities was set up to work with local communities to plant trees in areas of the city where they are most needed.

Trees for Cities and Reading Borough Council have been working in partnership since 2008 bringing tree planting projects citywide across Reading. The planting will also be a celebration of Trees for Cities successful partnership with the Reading Tree Warden Network and is part of Defra’s Big Tree Plant Campaign.

Festival Republic is demonstrating their commitment to the environment and the people of Reading by supporting this and other tree planting projects across the city.

For any media enquiries: lucyswan@margaretlondon.com
For any volunteering enquiries: polly@treesforcities.org