Sen. Richard Alloway II (R-Adams) Thursday thanked the more than 200 volunteers who helped plant 1,147 new trees in local communities in recent days.

The planting events were held in Adams and Franklin counties from October 10-17 as part of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Tree for Tomorrow Program and the Journey Through Hallowed Ground’s Living Legacy Tree Project.

Sen. Alloway said the trees would ultimately help mitigate flooding, stop erosion, improve air quality and reduce runoff pollution.

“The incredible success of this effort would not have been possible without the dedication and effort of so many individual volunteers and organizations who took time out of their schedules to make a lasting impact on the health of our communities,” Sen. Alloway said. “I deeply appreciate the time dedicated to numerous planting events this month, and I look forward to seeing the benefits these trees will provide for many years to come.”

The effort focused on planting larger saplings approximately 4-5 feet tall to improve odds of survival and provide more immediate environmental benefits.

“The trees that volunteers planted in area parks, roadways and on school grounds will protect water quality, beautify the area, clean the air and even raise property values,” said Donna Morelli, Pennsylvania Director of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. “Our local rivers and streams will benefit from the generous donations from foundations, the landowners who will care for them, and the volunteer efforts of everyone, including Sen. Alloway and staff.”

Sen. Alloway serves as Majority Chair of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee and represents Pennsylvania on the interstate Chesapeake Bay Commission.  He represents all of Adams County and portions of Cumberland, Franklin and York counties.

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10/26/2015