Who are those handsome volunteers with clipboards in West Oak Lane?
These volunteers are working with the Tookany/Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership as part of the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Department (PPR) TreePhilly program to find places to plant trees in West Oak Lane. Tree surveying is a simple process that involves walking through neighborhoods to find tree pits. Volunteers walk each block and note if there’s a live or dead tree, stump, empty tree pit, and overhead wires at each street address.
Why survey this neighborhood?
Although West Oak Lane has some trees, more would be better! The goal of PPR’s TreePhilly project is to increase Philadelphia’s tree canopy to 30%. Trees provide shade that cools streets and houses. TTF supports tree planting efforts like this one across our watershed because trees decrease stormwater runoff and pollutants. Learn more about why trees are good for us here.
With the help of Reverend Williams of the Chew and Belfield Neighbors Club and volunteers from a local organization, we surveyed almost 200 properties!
That looks like fun! Can I help with tree surveying?
It IS fun and yes, you can help! Students, block captains, parents, teachers, and others who want to beautify their neighborhoods can call 215-844-8100 or email abby@ttfwatershed.org to get involved! Check out our event listing in this month’s GRID Magazine!
Schedule a tree surveying event in your own neighborhood!
To see upcoming volunteer events, click here.
To read more about tree surveying, click here.
To see more event photos, click here or check out our Facebook page!
