Trees are holders and signifiers of life!
By Nagiarry Porcena-Meneus, Community Organizer
Trees provide us with quality oxygen production, habitats for our ecosystems, wind control, pollution reduction. Additionally, to counteract the effects of stormwater runoff, they increase water quality and reduce erosion.
When planted on household property, in our yard, they:
- Increase our mental and physical wellness.
- Provide shade and heat reduction
- Increase property values
This past fall (October 26), in collaboration with TreePhilly, we gifted about 50 free trees to community members in our East Oak Lane and Olney neighborhoods. These residents also received planting demos, mulch, compost, and literary resources. It was amazing to be surrounded by people who were calling the trees by their names, and getting to know what the trees need to evolve. This event exceeded our initial expectations! It was such a wonderful communal day.
Each tree now has a home to grow abundantly and form memories throughout the years to come.
To add a family-friendly environment, we merged our monthly program, Nature’s Hidden Surprises, a nature walk, to happen at the same time. There were families who joined along after obtaining their trees, for a collaborative nature project in Tacony Creek Park.
Click here to see pictures! Special thank you to TreePhilly for providing us with the free trees, and being amazing partners!
We are already looking forward to our next Free Tree Giveaway!
For questions and comments, contact nagiarry@ttfwatershed.org.
