HARRISBURG, PA — The Shapiro Administration marked a new phase in its community greening strategy on Friday, planting 33 trees in Harrisburg’s Cloverly Heights neighborhood as part of a $500,000 statewide investment aimed at cooling streets, reducing stormwater runoff, and strengthening neighborhood resilience.
The planting event, led by Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn alongside Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams, staff, and local volunteers, featured native species including oaks, serviceberry, and eastern redbuds. The initiative underscores the administration’s ongoing focus on urban forestry and environmental equity.
“The trees we plant today will stand long after us,” Dunn said. “They’ll make our neighborhoods healthier, our air cleaner, and our future a little brighter.”
The event is part of a broader effort supported by the TreePennsylvania Bare-Root Tree Program, which is supplying 1,100 trees to 51 communities this fall. Funding comes from a mix of DCNR grants, donations, and federal sources. Since 2023, more than 225 trees have been planted in Harrisburg through recurring community volunteer events.
Mayor Williams emphasized that the plantings represent more than beautification. “Every tree we plant is an investment in the health and hope of our city,” she said. “These new plantings are more than beautification — they represent our commitment to cleaner air, cooler neighborhoods, and stronger communities.”
The state’s investments reflect growing recognition of the role urban forests play in climate resilience. Trees help store carbon, reduce energy costs by providing shade, slow stormwater runoff, and support local biodiversity. DCNR’s Urban and Community Forestry program aims to help municipalities plan for and maintain these long-term ecological benefits.
In 2024 alone, the Shapiro Administration committed $10.5 million to tree-planting grants and lawn-to-habitat conversions, a strategy that aligns environmental improvements with community revitalization and economic growth.
Residents can support local tree initiatives through the Keystone Tree Fund, which accepts online donations and offers an optional $3 check-off on driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals.
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