Q&A: Deborah Marton, NYRP exec on how to green up NYC

Deborah Marton, 49, is the senior vice-president of The New York Restoration Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reclaiming and restoring New York City parks, community gardens and open space, and to planting a million trees within the five boroughs by 2017. She lives in the Flatiron District with her daughter Lola, 15, and son Henry, 13.

On a macro level, we are under resourced in the public realm. If you don't live near a place like Central Park or have street trees, you don't enjoy those benefits.

Having a heart and mind that is open to diversity. We are living in the most remarkable city the world has ever seen. Every day we see miracles of interaction. Peace reigns here. Small miracles reign every day here. And public spaces are where so many of those every day miracles take place.