NEWS RELEASE: #BloomCam Returns and Highlights the Needs for Long Term Care & Maintenance
#BloomCam Returns and Highlights the Needs for Long Term Care & Maintenance
Endow a Tree Campaign aims to raise funds for the beloved cherry trees.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 1, 2021 – The Trust for the National Mall and The National Cherry Blossom Festival are thrilled to announce the return of #BloomCam to track #BlossomWatch, the most anticipated event of the year on the National Mall. Live feed of the Tidal Basin will be available during the peak bloom period here: https://nationalmall.org/bloomcam and will allow people from around the world to virtually view the beloved blossoming cherry trees along the Tidal Basin in real time as they bloom.
Trust for the National Mall’s #BloomCam, provided by EarthCam, will be streaming live on both the Trust for the National Mall website as well as the National Cherry Blossom Festival website during #BlossomWatch with round-the-clock views of the cherry trees along the National Mall Tidal Basin.
“We hope the millions of people from the Washington Metropolitan region and around the world who will be viewing the blooms virtually, or who have a special connection with these beloved cherry trees, will consider supporting our Endow a Tree Campaign,” said Catherine Townsend, President & CEO of the Trust for the National Mall. “Help us provide year around care and maintenance that the trees desperately need.”
As the leading philanthropic partner of the National Park Service, the Trust for the National Mall is dedicated to restoring, preserving, and enriching the National Mall, including preserving the beloved cherry trees. Critical care and maintenance of the trees includes pruning, soil aeration to counteract compaction, addressing root damage due to flooding around the Tidal Basin, and replacement of trees as needed. The Trust’s goal is to grow the endowment to over $3.5 million.
“Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms signal the arrival of spring and symbolize hope, renewal and friendship and that is especially important right now. We are proud to partner with the Trust for the National Mall again to make #BloomWatch a special experience for people wherever they are this year and especially encourage support for the Endow a Tree Campaign,” adds Diana Mayhew, President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
BACKGROUND ON THE TREES:
About 90 cherry trees need to be replaced each year.
The average lifespan of a cherry tree is 40 -50 years and varies based on species, climate and care.
Remarkably, a handful of the original cherry trees planted in 1912 survive today.
The cherry trees are delicate and must survive in a unique climate and highly visited environment.
Keeping them healthy and blooming requires year-round maintenance for optimal health and longevity, but current funds only allow for limited maintenance.
The National Park Service (NPS) looks to the Trust for the National Mall to augment budgetary allowance to appropriately maintain the cherry trees.
The Trust’s efforts to fully endow each cherry tree is critical to their protection and long- term maintenance. Over 100 trees have been endowed to date of the 3700 trees on the National Mall.
Donations can be made through the #BloomCam page: https://www.nationalmall.org/bloomcam.
HOW IT WORKS:
$1,000 will endow a tree.
There are multiple ways for individuals and companies to support the campaign:
Contribute individually or in honor of someone for $1,000.
Start a crowd-funding team to raise funds to endow one or more trees.
Contribute at the Bud Level-$25, Blossom Level-$100, and Branch Level-$500 to support the endowment.
For each endowed tree, donors (by team or individually) will be listed on the Endow a Tree Campaign webpage on the Trust’s website and receive a certificate with a number recognizing the number of trees endowed to date.
INTERVIEW OPPORTUNITIES: (Available in person at Tidal Basin, on the phone, or via Microsoft Teams and Zoom)
Mike Litterst, Public Affairs Specialist at The National Park Service can talk about timing of the blooms and status of the trees.
Catherine Townsend President/CEO of the Trust for the National Mall or Teresa Durkin, Executive Vice President at Trust for the National Mall can talk about #BloomCam and why it is so critical to focus on protecting this national treasure by raising funds to fully care for, manage, and replace the cherry trees.
Diana Mayhew, President and CEO, National Cherry Blossom Festival can discuss the Festival next steps and how people can still embrace springtime in the National Capital region while remaining at home.
ABOUT THE TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL
As the leading nonprofit, nonpartisan philanthropic partner of the National Park Service dedicated to restoring, enriching and preserving the National Mall, the Trust brings expertise, private funding and in-kind support to time-sensitive restoration and sustainability projects, mobilizes volunteers and provides educational opportunities to ensure that the National Mall endures and evolves as a vibrant space for all. With over 36 million visits annually to the National Mall, combined with aging infrastructure and the need for better visitor amenities throughout the park, the Trust is helping the National Park Service tackle the more than $800 million needed for critical repairs and improvements. To learn more and to support our mission visit www.nationalmall.org | information@nationalmall.org | @thenationalmall
###
Media Contacts:
Erin Plant
eplant@nationalmall.org
202-407-9411