On November 6 from 9:00 a.m. to Noon, Lancaster Cemetery and Northeast Neighbors United will celebrate with a community tree planting and clean up event at the Lancaster Cemetery.

The 20-acre green space located in the northeast quadrant of the City of Lancaster is open to the public for passive recreation and educational opportunities. Volunteers from the community are invited to help plant native trees and shrubs, and clean up the neighborhood.

Lancaster Cemetery Board Chair, Tim Freund is committed to planting more trees, restoring needed wildlife habitat, and keeping green spaces clean and accessible in the City.

“Together we can help the City of Lancaster’s Shade Tree Commission reach tree canopy goals identified in the new Trees for People Plan and activate the City’s more than 59,000 residents to participate wherever they can to improve urban green spaces,” Freund said.

Efforts like this one are not new to the Lancaster Cemetery and Northeast Neighbors United. In June 2021 the Lancaster Cemetery, Northeast Neighbors United, and the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay joined forces to continue restoration of this large urban space.

The partnership resulted in a grant award from The Xerces Society  and Pinelands Nursery & Supply for a Northeast Monarch and Pollinator Kit. Volunteers planted 130 native shrubs and 500 native plant plugs like goldenrods, milkweeds, and asters to create safe places and food for monarchs, bees, and other pollinators.

This project, like the upcoming November 6 event, demonstrates how residents and local communities work together to increase urban tree canopy, restore native habitat, and create critical pollinator corridors for migrating monarchs, birds, and urban wildlife.

“In Lancaster there is a growing understanding and interest in restoring tree canopy and increasing wildlife habitat to improve water and air quality, reduce flooding, and build climate resiliency that collectively improves human health," said Kristen Thomas, City resident and winner of the 2020 Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Award.  “The Lancaster Cemetery and Northeast Neighbors United are committed to helping our neighbors and working with partners throughout the City to continue these efforts that benefit diverse communities everywhere.”

Volunteers and Lancaster residents are invited to pick up a FREE native tree or shrub and take time to learn more about native plants and the restoration of wildlife habitat in your community.

This project is possible because of the Mira Lloyd Dock Partnership Diversity Award which was awarded to Northeast Lancaster City resident Kristen Thomas.  [Read more here]

The award was launched by the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership  and recognizes women for their dedication and commitment to conservation and urban beautification work in underrepresented communities.

Kristen received $5,000 to plant native trees in Northeast Lancaster City resulting in 25 street trees being planted.

Read more about the 2020 Keystone 10 Million Trees Mira Lloyd Dock Awardees.

Partners for the November 6 project include: Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership - Chesapeake Bay Foundation; Xerces Society & Pinelands Nursery & Supply; City of Lancaster; Shade Tree Commission; BSA Troop 99; and Rep. P. Michael Sturla District Office.

Click Here to register for this special event.

The tree planting and cleanup will be held at 205 East Lemon Street in Lancaster.  Questions should be directed to Tim Freund, info@Lncastercemetery.org or call 717-393-6476.

Related Article:

-- Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, PA Forestry Assn. Recognize 3 Women With Mira Lloyd Dock Awards

[Posted: October 12, 2021]

10/18/2021