On May 26, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn and Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Jessica Shirley alongside the Chesapeake Bay Foundation visited Schaffner Park in Dauphin County to announce a major milestone in watershed restoration and community collaboration by planting the ceremonial 10 millionth tree as part of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.
Click Here for video/photos from the event.
Launched in spring 2018, the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is a broad coalition working to strengthen Pennsylvania’s communities, economy, and ecology, bringing together national, regional, state, and local agencies, conservation organizations, outdoor enthusiasts, businesses, and residents.
With today’s planting, the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership has successfully reached its goal of planting 10 million new trees across priority landscapes in Pennsylvania.
DCNR has served as an active member of the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Advisory Workgroup, supporting coordination and communication with partners and landowners across the Commonwealth. DCNR also assisted the Chesapeake Bay Foundation with data tracking to ensure all tree plantings were accurately recorded in official Chesapeake Bay Program totals.
The Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership has been a regular source of matching support for Community Conservation Partnerships Program(opens in a new tab) buffer and community forestry grantees, strengthening both DCNR programs and the broader initiative.
“Planting the ten millionth tree is a powerful reminder of what Pennsylvanians can accomplish when we work together for clean water and healthy communities,” said DCNR Secretary Dunn. “Since 2018, this effort has transformed landscapes across the Commonwealth, strengthened our streams, and expanded the forests that protect our drinking water and support wildlife. DCNR is proud to be part of this achievement and remains committed to restoring the Chesapeake Bay watershed for future generations.”
“Pennsylvania’s name translates to Penn’s Woods, highlighting the vital role trees have played in of our Commonwealth’s history,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “With nearly 50,000 miles of water within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, trees play a vital role in keeping the Bay, and all of Pennsylvania’s waterways, clean and thriving. I would like to thank DCNR, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and countless environmental organizations for their role in helping us plant 10 million trees over the last decade.”
"To make this happen, thousands of farmers, students, volunteers, landowners, conservation partners, and local communities all stepped up for the future. Every tree planted keeps pollution out of local waterways, restores wildlife habitat, and strengthens resilience in the face of climate change,” said Hilary Harp Falk, CBF President and Chief Executive Officer. “As home to the Susquehanna, Pennsylvania plays an outsized role in the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Planting 10 million trees shows how, with Pennsylvania leading the way, we can leave a legacy of thriving waterways for our children and grandchildren.”
PA's Progress to Improve the Chesapeake Bay
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science reported that the Chesapeake Bay is in its healthiest condition in more than 20 years.
The Upper Bay-- fed largely by Pennsylvania rivers-- scored among the highest in the watershed, reflecting Pennsylvania’s sustained progress.
Overall, the Bay has shown a long-term trend of improvement thanks to the collective efforts of Pennsylvania and other states, according to the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Chesapeake Bay and Watershed Report Card annual assessment.
DEP’s Chesapeake Restoration Division releases the Healthy Waters Healthy Communities Chesapeake Bay Progress Report each year, showcasing work throughout Pennsylvania’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania has made significant, measurable progress in restoring waterways and protecting the Chesapeake Bay:
-- Investments: Over $1 billion invested across state, local, agricultural, and nonprofit collaborations in the last four years.
-- Nitrogen reductions: Over the past five years, Pennsylvania has reduced nitrogen pollution flowing to the Bay ten times more than in the previous decade.
-- Stream restoration: 139 miles of streams restored in the last six years — more than the distance from Harrisburg to Annapolis.
-- Forest buffers: Nearly 945 miles of streamside forest buffers planted in the past two years, adding 1.5 million new trees. In 2024 alone, the Shapiro Administration invested $10.5 million in tree planting and lawn-to-habitat conversions.
-- Farmer support: More than 2,000 farmers have accessed financial and technical assistance through the Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) adopting conservation practices like no-till farming, streambank fencing, and wetland restoration.
-- Water quality improvements: Monitoring of the Susquehanna River shows long-term reductions in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment. Local streams, including Turtle Creek in Union County, have been removed from the impaired waters list.
Watershed Education, Community Forestry, Landscape Conservation
DCNR continues to strengthen watershed education and community forestry across Pennsylvania.
Since 2023, DCNR has awarded approximately $23.5 million through more than 70 grants to help expand tree and buffer plantings and lawn-to-habitat conversions.
The agency delivers watershed and water quality programs, provides professional development for educators, and maintains a Watershed Education curriculum aligned with Pennsylvania’s STEELS standards.
DCNR also launched the PA Community Tree Assistance Program to help municipalities and nonprofits care for urban trees by connecting them with certified professionals for planting, maintenance, planning, and safety improvements.
Pennsylvania’s three new state parks established in 2022 protect 3,500 acres along waterways that flow to the Bay, with master planning underway and new streamside plantings already completed.
The 2025 designation of the Kittatinny Ridge as a Sentinel Landscape further strengthens conservation and community collaboration across 1.9 million acres.
How Pennsylvanians Can Support Tree Planting
Trees and forests play a vital role in addressing climate change by storing carbon, improving air quality, slowing stormwater runoff, and creating wildlife habitat.
Pennsylvanians can support tree planting efforts by donating to the Keystone Tree Fund through an online form or a voluntary $3 check-off on driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals.
The fund supports grants for community tree plantings and streamside buffers.
Find a list of DCNR service foresters by county, and more information about forest buffers along waterways and Community and Watershed Forestry Grants on the DCNR website or follow the department on social media.
Click Here for video/photos from the event.
Click Here for the DCNR/DEP announcement.
Visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership to learn how you can help clean water grow on trees.
For more on Chesapeake Bay-related issues in Pennsylvania, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation-PA webpage. Click Here to sign up for Pennsylvania updates (bottom of left column). Click Here to support their work.
Visit DEP’s Chesapeake Bay Watershed webpage to learn more about cleaning up rivers and streams in Pennsylvania's portion of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Click Here to sign up for regular updates on Pennsylvania’s progress.
How Clean Is Your Stream
DEP’s draft 2026 Water Quality Assessment includes a mapping tool that allows you to check on the status of water quality near you.
Click Here to check how clean your stream is.
Related Articles This Week:
-- Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership Plants 10 Millionth Tree In Pennsylvania [PaEN]
-- DCNR/DEP: Shapiro Administration, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Mark Progress In Cleaning Up PA’s Part Of Chesapeake Bay Watershed; How Pennsylvanians Can Support Tree Planting [PaEN]
-- Choose Clean Water Coalition: Legislative Recommendations To Protect Pennsylvania's Waterways For The Future - Agriculture, Abandoned Mines, PFAS, Lead, A.I. Data Centers [PaEN]
-- Nominations Now Being Accepted For 2026 Agriculture Conservation Assistance Program Con Awards [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension June 1 Webinar On New Features Of PAOneStop Manure Management Planning Tool, 10:00 a.m. to Noon
-- Penn State Extension To Host 10 In-Person Safe Drinking Water Clinic Workshops On How To Protect, Test, Treat Water From Private Wells, Springs Starting June 3 [PaEN]
NewsClips:
-- EPA Announces $126.1 Million In Funding To Reduce Lead In Drinking Water In Pennsylvania
-- WESA/The Allegheny Front: EPA Announces $39 Million To PA To Address PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Drinking Water, While Rolling Back PFAS Limits
-- US Geological Survey Grant To Fund Penn State Study Of PFAS ‘Forever Chemicals’ In Small Agricultural Watersheds
-- Scranton Times: Scranton Plans $6.4 Million Stormwater Improvement In Keyser Creek Watershed
-- Partnership For The Delaware Estuary 2025 Annual Report: Connecting People, Science And Nature For A Healthy Delaware River And Bay
[Posted: May 28, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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