Rooted in Pennsylvania
In late May, the 10 millionth tree of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership was planted, and with it came the promise of cleaner water, thriving economies, and healthier communities across Pennsylvania.
It had been raining for the past four days, but the sun came out to make a special appearance in Herbert A. Schaffner Memorial Park in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania on Tuesday, May 26. All the precipitation turned the surrounding fields and foliage a vibrant green, only made brighter bathed in the sunlight. It was the perfect day to celebrate.
A small, unassuming white oak sat right behind home plate, in the far corner of the park. But this little tree was the cause of a huge celebration. It was the 10 millionth tree to be planted in an unprecedented statewide mission.
This is something powerful: 10 million trees planted across Pennsylvania in support of cleaner rivers and streams, healthier communities, and stronger local economies.
CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk
The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership (K10) initiative, of which CBF was a founding partner, began in 2018 and grew to more than 320 partners by the time the final tree went into the ground. This initiative aimed to improve waterways by adding new native trees to landscapes and communities across the state.
Alex JohnsonSo, what do trees have to do with cleaner water?
Trees absorb and filter polluted runoff before it enters waterways, and their roots help stabilize streambanks. Adding 10 million trees alongside streams, streets, and other priority areas accelerates Pennsylvania’s goals to reduce pollution to waterways. This effort would bring the state two-thirds of the way to its goal of 95,000-acres of trees along streams and rivers to repair its portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Speakers at May’s event included Cindy Adams Dunn, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary; Jessica Shirley, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Secretary; Pennsylvania Representative Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin); David Roeting, Hummelstown Mayor, and CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk.
“This is something powerful: 10 million trees planted across Pennsylvania in support of cleaner rivers and streams, healthier communities, and stronger local economies,” Falk said. “To make this happen, nursery growers, conservation partners, farmers, landowners, students, volunteers, and local communities all stepped up for the future,” she added. “Every tree planted keeps pollution out of local waterways, restores wildlife habitat, and strengthens resilience in the face of climate change.”
The momentum began building as more partners arrived, and by the time the ceremony started, a crowd had gathered around the sapling. “With nearly 50,000 miles of water within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, trees play a vital role in keeping the Bay, and all of Pennsylvania’s waterways, clean and thriving,” Secretary Dunn said during the ceremony.
Alex JohnsonAs the speakers heralded love letters to trees, water, and the Chesapeake Bay region, golden shovels glimmered in the light behind them. After the last speaker, Mayor Roeting, finished his speech, everyone grabbed a shovel and scoop of dirt. The cheers echoed as the dirt fell onto the sapling, and everyone started to gather for photos.
What comes next?
This monumental effort eight years in the making is certainly cause for celebration, but the work is not done. We will continue to plant water-filtering trees and support sustainable conservation practices across Pennsylvania.
“Celebrating our work in partnership with so many others to add 10 million new native trees to our landscapes across the state is just one important aspect of the work underway to improve water quality in Pennsylvania,” said CBF Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall. “Continued and dedicated funding for implementing conservation practices throughout the state, including on agricultural lands, will be key to Pennsylvania’s future.”
