Pottstown, PA – In celebration of Earth Day, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined students, educators, and local leaders at Pottstown High School in Montgomery County to plant trees and highlight the role of green infrastructure in building healthier, more resilient communities.
This project is one of the largest school-based tree planting efforts in DCNR history, with 434 native trees planted across nine Pottstown School District sites as part of the Urban Tree Canopy Enhancement Project. The project is funded through the $440,000 Keystone Tree Fund grant through DCNR’s Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2) and reflects the Shapiro Administration’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
“Trees do more than provide shade — they strengthen communities, educate future generations, and help us fight climate change,” said Secretary Dunn. “This project shows what’s possible when communities, schools, and government work together to get stuff done for our communities and the environment.”
Over the past two years, with Governor Shapiro’s support, DCNR has prioritized sustainability through innovative conservation practices — improving Chesapeake Bay water quality, protecting old-growth forests, expanding renewable energy, and enhancing biodiversity. In 2024, DCNR invested $10.5 million statewide in tree planting and lawn-to-habitat conversions to reduce flooding, cut carbon emissions, and expand access to green space in neighborhoods that need it most. With one of the smallest tree canopies in Montgomery County — and 38 percent of its land covered by roads, buildings, and parking lots — Pottstown is on the front lines of urban heat and flooding challenges.
"It is my sincere belief that this tree project will be seen by children and community members far into the future, as one of the most ecologically and environmentally sound decisions of our time,” said Pottstown School District Superintendent Stephen Rodriguez. “This investment in an underfunded, urban school district like Pottstown is as unprecedented as it is historic, and I am so very proud to have been an early supporter of what we are doing here."
The $550,000 project included 22 species of native trees, chosen for their resilience and ecological value. The effort brought together partners including the Pottstown School District, DCNR, Simone Collins Landscape Architecture, and nonprofit Save Our Land, Save Our Towns, Inc.
Beyond planting trees, the project aimed to inspire future environmental leaders. Over the past year, students participated in six hands-on learning and planting events. Permanent signage at each site provides ongoing educational opportunities, and students have taken on the role of “tree tenders” to care for the new canopy.
In honor of Earth Day, Secretary Dunn encouraged Pennsylvanians to take action in their own communities:
- Plant a native tree in your yard or neighborhood.
- Donate to the Keystone Tree Fund, which supports tree planting statewide
- Volunteer for cleanups or trail maintenance at a local park or forest.
- Take a child outdoors and inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.
To find a DCNR Earth Day event near you, visit Earth Day - DCNR Calendar of Events.
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