The announcement was made during a visit with second-grade students at Melrose Elementary School in the Harrisburg School District, alongside Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams and local officials.
The event celebrated the value of trees and inspired young learners to care for the environment.
“Every tree we plant is a step toward cleaner air, cooler cities, and healthier communities,” said Secretary Dunn. “Planting a tree is a simple act with a big impact, and we’re making it easier than ever for Pennsylvanians to contribute to a greener future.”
Through the new online form, Pennsylvanians can now make electronic donations to the Keystone Tree Fund, which supports grants for tree plantings in communities and streamside buffers.
The fund also includes a voluntary $3 check-off box on driver’s license and vehicle registration online applications.
In 2024 alone, DCNR invested $10.5 million in grants for tree planting and lawn-to-habitat conversions — advancing Governor Josh Shapiro’s vision to strengthen communities while driving regional economic growth through projects that enrich cultural, civic, recreational, and historic places throughout Pennsylvania.
“Planting a tree is more than putting something in the ground,” said Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams. “It’s planting hope, shade, and a legacy for future generations. These second graders are our future leaders and teaching them to care for the Earth is one of the most important investments we can make.”
“Trees are essential to our environment and the ecosystems in which they reside,” said Harrisburg School District Superintendent Dr. Benjamin Henry. “We are proud to partner with DCNR and the City of Harrisburg to inspire environmental stewardship in our youngest learners.”
National Arbor Day is an annual observance on the last Friday in April to celebrate trees and all they do to help clean our air, protect our water quality, and make our landscapes and communities beautiful.
DCNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program helps build capacity within communities to plan for, plant, and care for trees.
In 2021, DCNR added its first Tree Equity Specialist to ensure that every community across the Commonwealth has equal opportunities to experience the benefits of the department’s urban and community forestry work.
Trees and forests play a vital role in addressing climate change by capturing carbon and improving air quality, including reducing energy costs, slowing runoff after storms, reducing noise, and attracting birds and wildlife.
For more information about the Keystone Tree Fund and how to support tree planting in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s Urban and Community Forestry webpage
Learn more about how Governor Shapiro is Safeguarding Our Land, Water, & Air to protect the Commonwealth’s environment.
Click Here for DCNR's announcement.
Visit Explore PA Trails and Get Outdoors PA for recreation areas near you.
Visit the PA Parks & Forests Foundation’s Events webpage and DCNR’s Calendar of Events for activities happening near you.
For more information on state parks and forests and recreation in Pennsylvania, visit DCNR’s website.
Related Articles This Week:
-- DCNR Marks Earth Day By Planting Over 400 Trees At Pottstown School District In Montgomery County [PaEN]
-- CFA Accepting Applications For Act 13 Watershed Restoration, Mine Reclamation, Sewage, Flood Mitigation, Recreation Grants [PaEN]
-- PA Recreation & Park Society: People, Parks & Community Foundation Now Accepting Applications For Grants To Improve Recreation, Community And Organizational Development [PaEN]
-- PA Firefly Festival Receives Over 1,800 Entries To Campout Lottery; Private Guided Firefly Eco-Tours Available At Kellettville Firefly Farm In Forest County [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: 560-Acre Carbon County Wildfire Near Fully Contained
-- Inquirer - Frank Kummer: 560 Acre Wildfire In Carbon County Forces Closure Of Popular Trail
-- MCall: Large Brush Fire Near Jim Thorpe Continues As Crews Contain More Than 50%
-- Erie Times: Wildfire Near Jim Thorpe Sets Hundreds Of Acres Ablaze, See Wildfire Map
-- WNEP: Crews Battle Blustery Winds In Bear Mountain Wildfire
-- MCall: Massive Carbon County Brush Fire Spreads To 460 Acres As Crews Work To Keep It From Residential Area
-- WNEP: Bear Mountain Wildfire Continues To Burn Near Jim Thorpe
-- PennLive: New Evacuation Notice Issued As Crews Struggle To Contain Cumberland County Wildfires
-- PennLive: Red Cross Opens Shelter To Serve Cumberland County Wildfire Evacuees
-- DEP Alerts Cumberland County Residents To Elevated Air Quality Levels Due To Wildfire Smoke
-- York Daily Record: Officials: Close To 1,000 Acres Burning Across 2 Michaux State Forest Wildfires
-- PennLive: Cumberland County Wildfires Burn Nearly 1,000 Acres: Officials
-- Erie Times: Canadian Wildfires Drop Erie County’s Grade In State Of The Air Report
-- WTAE: Wildfire Smoke From Canada Impacted Air Quality In Pittsburgh
-- The Derrick: Early Arbor Day Observance Sees Oil City Students Planting New Tree In Hasson Park
-- Penn State Extension Webinar Series To Focus On Successful Tree And Shrub Planting Starting April 28
-- Penn State Extension Hosts Plant Identification Walks Thru Parks In Centre, Franklin, Huntingdon, Lebanon, Somerset Counties [Begins April 30]
-- Beaver Times: Logging Poised To Accelerate In Allegheny National Forest
[Posted: April 25, 2025] PA Environment Digest
No comments :
Post a Comment