Fish & Boat Commission, CBF, Arbor Day Foundation Partner On Harrisburg Tree Planting

On April 23, Fish and Boat Commission staff partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA and the National Arbor Day Foundation in planting 100 trees and 200 shrubs in the northeastern sector of the Commission’s Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg headquarters.

The planting project is part of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, coordinated by the Foundation, to protect and restore Pennsylvania waters by planting 10 million trees across the Commonwealth by the end of 2025.

The effort, on the day after Earth Day, parallels the Commission’s own goals to protect, conserve, and enhance aquatic resources.

The addition of trees has many benefits for the environment, including reducing polluted runoff, stabilizing streambanks, and providing wildlife habitat, shade and cooler water temperatures for fish and other aquatic species.

A Foundation restoration specialist was on site to provide proper planting instruction and guidance. They also provided all necessary hand tools, gloves, stakes, and tree shelters for the planting.

This was a terrific opportunity for staff members to demonstrate individual and agency commitment to clean water, a chance to build staff teamwork, and an effort to further beautify the area.

Special thanks to Fish & Boat’s Commissioner Robert BJ Small and Deputy Director Brian Barner for working together to help organize this project.

To learn more about the tree planting initiative and to volunteer, visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership website.