This initiative, funded and supported by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF), aimed to improve waterways by adding native trees to landscapes and communities across the state.
Leaders in the effort planted the 10-millionth tree, an oak tree, at Herbert A. Schaffner Memorial Park in Hummelstown.
“This is something powerful: 10 million trees planted across Pennsylvania in support of cleaner rivers and streams, healthier communities, and stronger local economies,” CBF President and CEO Hilary Harp Falk said.
“To make this happen, nursery growers, conservation partners, farmers, landowners, students, volunteers, and local communities all stepped up for the future,” she added. “Every tree planted keeps pollution out of local waterways, restores wildlife habitat, and strengthens resilience in the face of climate change.”
Speakers at the event included Falk; Cindy Adams Dunn, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary; Jessica Shirley, Department of Environmental Protection Secretary; Rep. Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin); and David Roeting, Hummelstown Mayor.
Also attending the event were Rep. Nikki Rivera (D-Lancaster), Rep. Justin Fleming (D-Dauphin) and Senator Patty Kim (D-Dauphin)
Pennsylvania’s iconic Susquehanna River is the largest source of fresh water to feed into the Chesapeake Bay. However, many of its rivers and streams are damaged by pollution.
According to DEP’s 2026 Integrated Water Quality Report, 37 percent of Pennsylvania’s miles of rivers and streams do not meet clean water standards for water supply, aquatic life, recreation, or fish consumption. [Read more here]
Trees are good for rivers and streams. They absorb and filter polluted runoff from rainstorms before it enters waterways, and their roots help stabilize streambanks.
Adding 10 million trees alongside streams, streets, and other priority areas accelerates Pennsylvania’s goals to reduce pollution to waterways.
This number would bring the state two-thirds of the way to its goal of 95,000-acres of trees along streams and rivers to repair its portion of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
Partnerships were a key part of this effort, and the hard work of many organizations helped make this lofty goal a reality.
“Planting the ten millionth tree is a powerful reminder of what Pennsylvanians can accomplish when we work together for clean water and healthy communities,” Secretary Dunn said.
“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.”
Trees also help local communities right where they are planted, as they are the most cost-effective tools for keeping communities clean, cool, and protected.
They bolster local economies by increasing recreational opportunities like fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking, as well as raising property values.
They also increase agricultural productivity and can even boost mood.
CBF has a lot to celebrate this year, including the 40th anniversary of its work in Pennsylvania, the expansion of environmental education program offerings, and the leadership of Governor Josh Shapiro to protect and restore all of the critical watersheds that run through the Keystone State, including the Chesapeake Bay.
This milestone is a cause for celebration, but reaching 10 million new trees does not mark the end of restoration for Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams.
“Celebrating our work in partnership with so many others to add 10 million new native trees to our landscapes across the state is just one important aspect of the work underway to improve water quality in PA,” said CBF Pennsylvania Executive Director Julia Krall. “Continued and dedicated funding for implementing conservation practices throughout the state, including on agricultural lands, will be key to Pennsylvania’s future.”
Falk emphasized the importance of Pennsylvania’s leadership to the Chesapeake Bay.
“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 cleaner water and healthier communities for generations to come,” Falk added.
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.
(Photo: David Roeting, Hummelstown Mayor. Rep. Nikki Rivera (D-Lancaster), Jessica Shirley, DEP Secretary; Senator Patty Kim (D-Dauphin);Cindy Adams Dunn, DCNR Secretary; Hilary Harp Falk, CBF President and Chief Executive Officer; Rep. Justin Fleming (D-Dauphin), Tom Mehaffie (R-Dauphin).)
Related Articles This Week:
-- 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
[Posted: May 27, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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