PRESS RELEASE

Contact: Marissa Spratley
Email: mspratley@allianceforthebay.org
Office: 443-949-0575 Cell: 410-718-2728
PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20 Acres of Trees Being Planted at Local School
DCNR, Penn State, and the Alliance Partner to Help Improve Pennsylvania’s Water Quality

Manchester, PA (October 24, 2019) Today, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (Alliance) joined Cindy Dunn, secretary for the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Northeastern School District officials and Penn State Cooperative Extension representatives in York County, Pennsylvania for a streamside tree planting, at Shallow Brook Intermediate School. This planting is the first of three phases that will occur over the next several seasons. Once completed, over 20 acres of new forest will have been planted on the school’s property.

The project demonstrates the strength of cross-sector partnerships and the collaborative nature of modern conservation efforts. Master Watershed Stewards will be responsible for long-term management and maintenance of the buffer, and a few teachers in the school who are also watershed stewards will incorporate the buffer into their lesson plans.

Pennsylvania has a goal of planting 95,000 acres of streamside forest buffers by 2025 to improve local water quality and meet Chesapeake Bay restoration goals outlined in their Phase III Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP). The Shallow Brook tree planting will single handedly account for over 25% of York County’s WIP goal for urban forest buffers.

“The school was having their maintenance staff spend valuable time and fuel mowing this huge area that is otherwise rarely even touched. By deciding to re-forest this property, the school district will not only enhance the property, but will save a substantial amount of money,” Ryan Davis, Chesapeake Forests program manager for the Alliance said. “There are countless schools, churches, industrial parks and backyards that have streams running through them, bare of trees, for no real reason. If we are to meet our goals, we need each and every citizen to join in this reforestation effort, not just farmers and scientists.”

“This streamside forest buffer project sets an example for other school districts, and large landowners such as hospitals and corporate campuses, across that state that own land suitable for similar efforts,” Pennsylvania DCNR Secretary Cindy Dunn said. “By involving students and teachers, it’s also a great way to get young people engaged and empowered to contribute to practices that improve their environment and communities.”

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About the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay:
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay (Alliance) is a regional nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring together communities, companies, and conservationists to improve our lands and waters. The Alliance implements local programs that connect people to their local rivers and streams and become directly involved in local restoration efforts. The Alliance was founded in 1971 and has offices in Annapolis, MD, Lancaster, PA, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, VA. For more information about the Alliance, visit www.allianceforthebay.org.