Come get your hands dirty and join in on the reforestation effort for Pennsylvania’s streams! We have over 4,000 trees to plant – all we need is you! Tree plantings are a great chance to get outside with fellow volunteers and knowledgeable Alliance team members for a memorable day of making a difference.

Check out and register for our opportunities to help your community below:

Regular Planting Events

Gettysburg, Adams Co
Date: Saturday, November 2nd, 10 AM
Trees to plant: 600
Volunteers Needed: 50

Dillsburg, York Co
Date: Saturday, November 9th, 10 AM
Trees to plant: 170
Volunteers Needed: 15

Culliton Park urban planting, Lancaster Co
Date: Saturday, November 9th, 10 AM
Trees to plant: 14 large stock
Volunteers Needed: 15

A person smiling in a field while preparing a hole to plant a tree in

A volunteer helps at a tree planting this past spring, in Chambersburg, PA.

 

Replanting Events

The bad news: at some of our past tree plantings, some of the trees have died. This is a natural occurrence, as not every tree planted will survive the stress of weather and wildlife pressure.

The good news: You can help us replace those trees! Sites need regular maintenance for the first 3-5 years after their installation to give the young saplings a fighting chance at becoming a forest. Part of this maintenance is to replace dead trees with new, vibrant ones in the early years. Come join us for the following replanting events.

Manheim, Lancaster Co
Date: Thursday, October 17th, 9 AM

Lancaster, Lancaster Co
Date: Thursday, October 24th, 9 AM

Millersville, Lancaster Co
Date: Tuesday, October 29th, 9 AM

Quarryville, Lancaster Co
Date: Wednesday, November 6th, 9 AM

Dover, York Co
Date: Thursday, November 14th, 9 AM

All of our upcoming PA volunteer events can be found here.

 

Tree planting event FAQs

Do I need to bring shovels?
Nope! We recommend bringing a pair of work gloves if you have them, but otherwise, the Alliance provides all the materials needed to plant trees. We also have a short tutorial at the beginning of the event to introduce folks to our unique system of planting.

Are tree plantings kid friendly?
Yes! The only requirement for kids to attend is that their guardian also be onsite as a registered volunteer and participate in the planting to supervise the children. There are lots of ways kids can help out as we work, and we find they always provide a boost of enthusiasm.

Are there bathrooms?
No. Plantings are usually scheduled to last for only two to three hours.

What’s the address?
We hold the majority of our plantings on private property, so in order to be discreet with a landowner’s information, we send out the event address in the confirmation email when you register for a planting.

What kind of trees are being planted?
We plant 20-30 species of trees and shrubs that are native to the south-central Pennsylvania region. Each site is different. You can learn all about them when you are there!

️️Why are we planting trees again?
Because they’re awesome! Trees help stabilize soils in riparian areas, reduce runoff, and decrease the amount of pollution that ends up in our Bay. Check out our PA Riparian Forest Buffer Project to learn more about the science and motivations behind why we do what we do.

‍‍I have another question.
Great! Please email me at canthony@allianceforthebay.org so I can help!

We hope to see you out in the field this fall!

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