ESF, Apple Trees & Earth Day

Part of the Central Upstate Regional Alliance and Green Team celebration of Earth Day
4/23/2009

(Syracuse, NY) The Central Upstate Regional Alliance and the Green Team celebrated Earth Day and the National Green Apple Festival by planting 25 Crispin apple trees throughout the Creative Core. The festival is Americas largest Earth Week celebration, drawing more than 500,000 people at events across the country.

The State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF), Syracuse University and the Syracuse Center of Excellence planted their apple trees at 504 Niagara Street in Syracuse to highlight neighborhood rejuvenation efforts underway on the Citys near west side. The planting took place Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

This planting exercise of 25 trees at 16 locations throughout Central New York is symbolic on many levels demonstrating the ESF commitment to plant roots in the community, provide a useful harvest and help combat climate change through carbon sequestration, said Michael Kelleher, ESF Director of renewable energy systems.

Trees were also be planted by:

• Auburn Beautification Commission, Downtown Auburn
• Congressman Daniel Maffei, Spanish Action League, Syracuse
• Clarkson University, Clarkson University Campus, Potsdam
• City of Oswego, SUNY Oswego, O'Mara Welcome Ctr.
• City of Syracuse, Syr. Technology Garden terrace
• Greater Syr. Chamber of Commerce, 527 South Salina Street, Syracuse
• Hopko Designs, 75 East Court Street, Cortland
• LeMoyne College, Lemoyne College Campus
• Lime Hollow Ctr for Env. & Culture, 338 McLean Road, Cortland
• Mohawk Valley Edge, 153 Brooks Road, Rome
• Morrisville State College Aquaculture Center, Callaghan Brook
• National Grid of Syracuse, Walnut Ave. at Water St. and Erie Blvd.
• Onondaga Community College, OCC campus
• St. Lawrence University, Flint Hall, Canton
• Syracuse Technology Garden, Syr. Technology Garden terrace
• Utica College, North & South Residence Halls, Utica

Crispin Apple Trees: Crispin apples, also known as the mutsu apple (Malus domestica), were first introduced as an apple tree variety in 1930. The Crispin is one of the top ten apple varieties grown in New York State. Crispin is hearty, and does well in just about any climate and soil. The trees being planted are semi?dwarf trees, 4 tall and ? caliper, and will grow to about 9 tall.

About New Yorks Creative Core: New Yorks Creative Core encompasses 12 Central Upstate counties and more than 200 partners who proactively advance regional development efforts by working together to promote the regions strengths in leading-edge technologies, academic excellence, and vibrant communities. The partners share a common message on the regions unique economic development opportunities and quality of life. Through a strong regional image, Creative Core partners are shaping Central Upstate New Yorks growth and success.For more, visit the Partner page at www.creativecoreny.com.

About the Central Upstate Regional Alliance: The Central Upstate Regional Alliance is a 42 member partnership formed to promote and market the regions assets and to retain and attract business and talent. The 12-County partnership includes: Cayuga, Cortland, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Seneca, St. Lawrence and Tompkins Counties.