Mayor Avula and Volunteers Plant 46 Trees for Richmond Tree Week

Chesapeake Bay Foundation Event Expands Tree Cover at Chimborazo Park 

Richmond Mayor Dr. Danny Avula and 63 Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) volunteers helped bring Richmond Tree Week to a close Saturday by planting 46 native trees at Chimborazo Park.  

The planting adds to the greening efforts across the city, helping reduce polluted runoff entering the James River, improving local air quality, and combating the urban heat island effect. Saturday’s planting served as the final phase of a two-day planting at Chimborazo Park that in total planted 92 trees at the East End park.  

“Seeing so many Richmond residents come out to dedicate their Saturday to planting trees is incredibly inspiring,” said Ann Jurczyk, CBF’s Virginia Manager of Urban Restoration. “These trees are some of the most cost-effective tools we have for cleaning our water and creating a city stronger in the face of flooding and extreme weather. Every native tree planted today in Chimborazo Park will filter runoff, absorb carbon for decades to come, and cool our city neighborhood.” 

Mayor Avula joined volunteers, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to creating a sustainable built environment for future generations. He recalled that, like many homebuyers, he once bought a house because of a nearby willow oak.  

“Planting trees is a practical, immediate way we can invest in the health and vitality of our city and our residents,” said Mayor Avula. “The trees planted here today are future air filters, shade providers, and soil stabilizers. This work is crucial for giving us another line of defense against flooding and extreme weather.” 

The impact of urban trees extends directly to residents’ well-being and their pocketbooks. More urban trees significantly combat the ‘urban heat island’ effect, cooling neighborhoods and filtering airborne pollutants known to exacerbate asthma.  

They also lower energy bills. Properly placing trees around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent and can save 20 to 50 percent in energy used for heating.  

Volunteers of all ages came from Richmond and the surrounding counties.

“At a time when it feels like things are getting lonelier and lonelier, we are meeting new people and contributing to the community. Now every time when I come with my classmates or my dog, I will be able to see this tree and say, ‘I did that with my fellow neighbors,’” said Hannah Jones, a volunteer. 

The event was held in partnership with Richmond Tree Week and was made possible through funding provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency through the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund.