NEWS FOR RELEASE – March 20th, 2017
New Community Tree Partnership Launches Crowdfunding Campaign to Plant City Trees
A new partnership has sprouted up with the goal of planting more trees in Lancaster City and engaging residents in the process. A collaborative effort, Lancaster Tree Tenders is an initiative of the Lancaster County Conservancy Urban Greening program with partners Lancaster City Alliance and the City of Lancaster. Their purpose is “To increase and enhance Lancaster’s urban forest by engaging and empowering neighborhoods to plant and care for trees”. Together, they are working to increase Lancaster City’s tree canopy cover from 28% to 40% within twenty-five years; this goal is part of the City’s Green Infrastructure Plan to help manage stormwater and create a more sustainable community.
“Have you ever planted a tree before?” asks the newly formed Lancaster Tree Tenders. And to that they respond, “We have!” In the last 18 months, the Lancaster Tree Tenders have helped plant 100 street trees and 350 saplings, identified over 500 planting locations, and mailed 1,000 letters offering free trees. In the process, they have engaged hundreds of volunteers who have received training and hands-on experience with planting trees. All of this work is being accomplished in close partnership with the City Stormwater Bureau and the City Arborist, Jim Bower.
It’s no secret that urban trees provide a multitude of benefits for people, the environment, and even businesses. Trees help reduce stormwater pollution, save on energy by reducing cooling costs, reduce air pollution, increase biodiversity, and beautify neighborhoods. The group also points to studies that have shown trees increase pedestrian traffic in shopping areas, reduce crime, and help instill a sense of community pride.
They encourage people to support their mission by donating to their crowdfunding campaign kicking off the first day of spring, March 20th. Go to www.saveitlancaster.org to find out how to donate and get involved. Another way to get involved is by coming to “A Night of Short Films” about the importance of trees around the world. Check out the event here.
They encourage other kinds of involvement too, such as sharing their information via social media, personally inviting friends to donate, joining one of their planting events, and planting a tree. Each contribution insures that more trees get planted in the City of Lancaster.
