On August 29, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation announced the Foxwynd Foundation of Chester County awarded a $75,000 grant to the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.

“At Foxwynd Foundation, we are committed to fostering environmental sustainability,” Pamela Villagra, Foundation Executive Director said. “Supporting the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is a crucial step in ensuring that the trees planted today thrive and contribute to a healthier environment for future generations. We are proud to play a part in this initiative, which aligns with our mission to protect and preserve our natural resources.”

The one-year tree survival grant will be used for maintenance, supplies, and logistical support for trees planted by the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, which has grown to over 300 member organizations.

“Maintaining trees is as important as planting them,” said Julia Krall, Pennsylvania Executive Director for CBF. “New trees cannot mature and filter and absorb polluted runoff if they don’t survive. The important follow-up care for trees by partners, made possible by the generous support of the Foxwynd Foundation, will have a positive impact on local water quality.”

The grant is one of the first for Foxwynd’s environmental focus and requires matching funds within a year. CBF would like those funds to come from the support of CBF memberships.

Maintenance in a riparian buffer may include straightening, removing or replacing tree shelters after storms, and checking for competing vegetation inside shelters.

 Other work could include removing bird nets from shelters with trees growing out the top, applying herbicides, and mowing around trees.

Roughly 28,000 miles of Pennsylvania’s rivers and streams are damaged by polluted runoff and the legacy of coal mining. Trees are the most cost-effective tools for cleaning and protecting waterways.

Trees filter and absorb polluted runoff, stabilize streambanks, and improve soil quality. Trees also help address climate change by cooling the air and sequestering carbon.

Foxwynd Foundation’s generous donation to the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership is funded by The Foxwynd Foundation Donor Advised Fund.

Launched in January 2024, the Foxwynd Foundation has impacted environmental sustainability, healthcare, and housing through 32 organizations in 17 U.S. states.

Visit the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership website 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.

CBF has over 275,000 members in Bay Watershed.

How Clean Is Your Stream?

The draft 2024 report has an interactive report viewer that allows you to zoom in to your own address to see if the streams near you are impaired and why.

Click Here to check out your streams.  Click Here for a tutorial on using the viewer.

Related Articles This Week - Watersheds:

-- U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation Announce Over $17 Million In Grants For Delaware River Basin Restoration  [PaEN]

-- National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, US Fish & Wildlife Announce $8.9 Million To Restore, Conserve Habitats In Chesapeake Bay Watershed  [PaEN]

-- DEP Releases 2023 Annual Report On Chesapeake Bay Watershed Celebrating Accomplishments Of Counties, Communities, State And Local Leaders  [PaEN]

-- DEP Publishes Updated PAG-02 NPDES Stormwater General Permit  [PaEN]

-- Conservation Innovation Fund, Kennett Twp., Chester County Receive Ground-Breaking Stormwater Permit Relying On Nature-Based Solutions  [PaEN]

-- USDA NRCS-PA: Cropland Farmers May Be Contacted During Conservation Effects Assessment Survey

-- Eastern PA Consulting & Industrial Forester Conference Set For Sept. 26 At Dauphin County Conservation District  [PaEN]

 -- Allegheny County Conservation District, Partners Host 5-Part Building Vibrant Communities Workshops Starting Sept. 24  [PaEN]

-- York County Master Watershed Stewards Host Sept. 26 Stormwater Management, Storm Drain Art Walking Tour; 2024 Art Winners Announced  [PaEN]

-- PA Organization For Watersheds & Rivers Hosts Sept. 11 PA Fertilizer Law, Homeowner Lawn Care For Healthy Watersheds Webinar  [PaEN]

-- Penn State Study Examines Perceptions Of Flood Insurance - Clients Often Underestimate Their Flood Risk, Lack Knowledge About Flood Insurance  [PaEN]

-- EPA Names Khesha Reed As Deputy Director For Chesapeake Bay Program Office  [PaEN]

NewsClips:

-- WHYY: Conservationists Find Mussels Near Pennypack On Delaware River, Sign Of Good Water Quality

-- PittsburghUnionProgress.com: Saving The Allegheny: Advocates Host Kayak Tour To Highlight River Recreation

-- WESA: Politicians, Environmentalists Find Common Ground While Kayaking Allegheny River Lock And Dam

-- Williamsport Sun: Loyalsock Creek Men’s Club Does Work On Little Bear Creek

-- TribLive: Mountain Watershed Assn. Opposes Permit For Rustic Ridge Coal Mine Expansion In Westmoreland

-- TribLive: DEP Urged To Reject Donegal Coal Mine’s Expansion Permit To Discharge Water

-- Williamsport Sun: Loyalsock Creek Men’s Club Does Work On Little Bear Creek

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Capital Region Water Must Consider Its Customers In Managing Harrisburg’s Stormwater Problems - By Charlotte Katzenmoyer, CEO

[Posted: August 29, 2024]

9/2/2024