NEWS RELEASE: New for 2021: Cherry Blossom #BudCam
New for 2021: Cherry Blossom #BudCam
Watch the Cherry Blossoms Up Close & Help Care for Them Year-Round Through the Endow a Cherry Tree Campaign
(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - March 29, 2021 – New this year, The Trust for the National Mall has launched a second live camera from the Tidal Basin in conjunction with the Endow a Cherry Tree Campaign as part of this year’s National Cherry Blossom Festival. The #BudCam brings an up-close view of the beloved cherry trees - in full bloom today - and aims to bolster support for the Campaign which seeks to raise the needed funds to maintain the over 3,700 iconic cherry trees along the Tidal Basin and throughout the National Mall.
Together with the #BloomCam, which launched March 24, the #BudCam brings un-paralleled round-the-clock views of the national treasures to virtual visitors far and wide through peak bloom happening now.
“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 Cherry Tree Campaign,” said Catherine Townsend, President & CEO of the Trust for the National Mall. “Approximately 90 trees need to be replaced each year, and only a handful of the original 1912 cherry trees survive today. Help us provide year around care and maintenance that the trees desperately need."
Keeping the cherry trees healthy and blooming requires year-round care for optimal health and longevity, but current funds only allow for limited maintenance. Damage from weather, flooding, and foot traffic pose an ongoing threat to the trees.
“Washington D.C.’s cherry blossoms signal the arrival of spring and symbolize hope, renewal and friendship, and that is especially important right now,” adds Diana Mayhew, President of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. “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.”
The Trust seeks to grow their Cherry Tree Endowment to $3.5 million through their Endow a Cherry Tree Campaign to ensure the iconic trees are properly maintained for years to come.
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, only 12 of the original 3,000 Cherry Trees planted in 1912 are alive 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 CHERRY TREE ENDOWMENT: WHY IT MATTERS, HOW IT WORKS:
The Trust’s efforts to fully endow each cherry tree is critical to their protection and long-term maintenance. Of the more than 3,700 cherry trees on the National Mall, 100 have been endowed so far.
Donations to the Cherry Tree Endowment can be made via the Trust for the National Mall: 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.
EXPERT 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.
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 ensure that the National Mall endures and evolves as a vibrant space for all. To learn more and to support our mission visit www.nationalmall.org | information@nationalmall.org | @thenationalmall
###
Media Contact:
Laura Evans 301-379-6028 Laura@lauraevansmedia.com