The Philadelphia Eagles joined state, city and school officials this week at Richard Wright Elementary School in North Philadelphia to kick off plans to plant 300 trees at 15 elementary schools and five park sites across the city as part of TreeVitalize, a public-private partnership to restore tree cover to the five-county Philadelphia region.

Wright Elementary is the first school in the Philadelphia School District to benefit from a $125,000 donation presented by the Eagles. The Eagles made the donation as part of the team's 'Go Green' initiative, championing care for the environment and recycling.

In November volunteers from Temple University and the Gibson Baptist Church planted 14 sugar maple trees in a grass strip that rings the asphalt schoolyard and parking lot. An additional six golden raintree and flowering cherry trees were planted at the church, adjacent to the school. Church members have agreed to help care for all the new trees.

Studies have shown that exposure to green and nature is good for children, and that views of trees and shrubs can increase concentration and reduce violence.

To prepare for this week's ceremony, third-grade students at Wright Elementary composed tree poems and adorned their new trees with paper decorations. During the ceremony, Eagles players Michael Lewis and Sheldon Brown helped students place their leaf-shaped poems on the newly planted trees.

The selection of school and park sites within the school district's elementary schools is underway. High priority will be given to those public elementary schools that are located in neighborhoods with low tree cover, have adequate spacing for at least 10 trees, and can link the planting to an environmental education program. Schools where community members are trained in tree care and are willing to help care for trees will be favored.

The Fairmount Park Commission, who oversees the planting and care of 250,000 street trees in Philadelphia, will manage the planting projects at the schools.

Launched by Gov. Rendell on Arbor Day this year, TreeVitalize aims to plant more than 20,000 shade trees in neighborhoods and 1,000 acres of forested riparian buffers in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. The $8 million program targets neighborhoods in older cities, boroughs and townships where tree cover is below 25 percent. Tree cover refers to the percentage of land shaded by trees and shrubs.

TreeVitalize is designed to halt the loss of tree cover and revitalize older communities, improve air and water quality and enhance the quality of life for citizens living in cities and towns. Studies have shown that even a single street tree can increase a home's value and lower its energy use. It will provide local governments, which many times lack urban forestry resources, with the financial and technical tools to encourage tree planting and stewardship.

In addition to coordinating resources to support tree plantings, TreeVitalize aims to train 2,000 volunteer citizens in proper tree care techniques. These citizens will organize future tree planting projects and educate homeowners on proper tree care and planting.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has partnered with the state Department of Environmental Protection; Aqua PA; Philadelphia Eagles; PECO, an Exelon Co.; U.S. Forest Service; PA Horticultural Society; Morris Arboretum; and the PA Landscape and Nursery Association on Treevitalize.

12/10/2004