HARRISBURG (100.1 FM and AM 1020 KDKA) — The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture revealed Sunday that the commonwealth will be undergoing an initiative to begin planting many new trees.
The Department is planning on growing a lot of trees, too — 10 million to be accurate.
The massive tree planting operation is coming as a way to address ecological preservation and perpetuate clean water sustainability.
The Department asks a simple question with the project in mind: "Why do we need 10 million trees?"
But take it a step further, and ask a larger question: Why do we need trees at all?
The crux of what trees can do for the community, ecology, and even economy is the foundation for the Department's newest green partnership.
But to answer the Department's question, "trees are critical to life."
And that tenet is the cornerstone for the initiative.
So by way of the Department and its action plan, "prioritizing the restoration and preservation of trees alongside streams, streets, and other sensitive landscapes will have a profound impact on Pennsylvania. This ambitious collaborative partnership aims to plant 10 million new trees for the benefit of all Pennsylvanians."
Namely, The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is focusing on enhancing and protecting the state's natural resources.
It's a "collaborative effort of national, regional, state and local agencies, conservation organizations, outdoors enthusiasts, businesses, and citizens committed to improving Pennsylvania's communities, economy, and ecology by planting 10 million trees throughout the Commonwealth," according to the Department.
And according to the project's landing page, there will be a three-pronged focus on how to handle the execution of the mission: Many Hands, Diverse Plantings, and Legislative Leadership.
The explanations for each branch of the action plan straight from the horse's mouth are as follows:
Many Hands:
Planting many trees will take many hands. The Partnership will work to enlist, energize, and mobilize volunteer groups and individuals to team up with larger partners and help with plantings in their local communities. Planting and instructional materials will be available.
Diverse Planting:
Streamside buffers that reduce, filter, and absorb runoff provide the greatest return when it comes to reducing the amount of pollution entering our waterways. But the Partnership will also see to it that trees are placed in urban and suburban settings to absorb and clean polluted runoff, reduce flooding, and help restore abandoned mine land.
Legislative Leadership:
Elected officials at all levels are vital to meeting the challenge of planting 10 million trees. Fostering greater understanding and appreciation for trees and advocating for increased and prioritized investments are key components. Local land use plans and development standards, which foster the preservation and restoration of trees, play an important role.
As mentioned, the Department has a dedicated site for The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.
And there, Pennsylvania residents can find fun facts for the importance of increasing the number of trees in the commonwealth and also the scope, planned procedures, and methodology for the plan.