Devils Revitalize Park Damaged by Superstorm Sandy

The New Jersey Devils and PwC US have teamed up with the New Jersey Tree Foundation and Essex County to plant new trees as part of their “Pucks for Parks” initiative.

Through “Puck for Parks,” the Devils and PwC are working together to enrich New Jersey communities by helping sustain the environment and provide green space for generations. The multi-year program was created in 2013, with a commitment by the Devils and PwC, including the help of Devils staff, PwC partners and staff, and community volunteers, to plant at least two mature trees in a New Jersey park or green space for every Devils win during the 2013-14 regular season. Depending on the environmental needs of each location, additional trees and vegetation of various sizes will also be rooted, including along coastal and river areas to help prevent erosion.

New trees planted were planted at Presby Memorial Iris Gardens in Upper Montclair on Wednesday. New Jersey Parks and Green Space Devils Arena Entertainment Senior Vice President of Community Investment Jim Leonard, PwC Partner and New York Metro Green Team Leader Ed Heitin, New Jersey Tree Foundation Executive Director Lisa Simms and Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. participated in a ceremony to commemorate the event.

“Working with outstanding organizations like PwC and the New Jersey Tree Foundation to help build a healthy and more sustainable environment is essential in our role as a leader in the community,’ said Jim Leonard, senior vice president of community investment for Devils Arena Entertainment. “We take great pride in every opportunity to give back and look forward to planting many more trees in the years to come.”

“PwC is committed to making our communities better places to live and work,” said Brendan Dougher, Managing Partner of the PwC New York Metro Market. “The Pucks for Parks program is an important part of our firm’s environmental and sustainability efforts and we’re excited to team with the New Jersey Devils and the New Jersey Tree Foundation today for the first of many tree plantings in our New Jersey communities.”

“We are so grateful for today’s event and for the continuing support of this program,” said Lisa Simms, executive director of the New Jersey Tree Foundation. “Planting new trees is one of the most important things we can do for the environment and the impact will be felt for generations.”

“Presby Gardens is known as the ‘rainbow on the hill,’ and the addition of these trees will contribute to its natural beauty,” said Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. “We appreciate the New Jersey Devils, PwC and the New Jersey Tree Foundation for bringing their Pucks for Parks program to Essex County.”

The new trees planted at Presby Memorial Iris Garden will replace those that were lost or damaged during Superstorm Sandy in 2012. New trees will help bolster the iris population by enhancing natural pollination activity and providing additional pollination avenues in the popular garden. The trees will also help support the Garden’s educational arbor program, which was started in 2001