By Diane Esser, Lake Erie Group
Plant It Forwards is a community tree planting and reforestation movement promoting urban forests and municipal ordinances. Our goal is to promote healthier urban forests with best practices to take action for climate change. Reforestation of our planet is a critical issue. We are all part of the urban and rural ecosystem, and through hands on community planting, maintenance, and best practices education we can significantly counter climate. Together we increase green infrastructure for resilience and sustainability. Additionally, we provide habitat for our wildlife and bird populations that have been displaced by bad practices, climate change events, and massive forest fires.
PLANT IT FORWARD in YOUR neighborhood. Through volunteerism, and a Plant It Forward sign that can be placed in neighborhoods to begin street tree corridors, we can exponentially grow a greener environment. If we all just planted TWO trees in front of our home, in one year, we would add 100,000 trees! A significant bump up! Lower our heat index, improve stormwater mitigation, and air quality by removing toxic CO2 emissions. Most importantly, on the days temperatures are 90 degrees or above, we experience 120 degrees on streets and parking lots. Healthy? Absolutely not. It’s dangerous. But, under a tree we experience 70 degrees. Safe! Our heat index is a critical issue to be addressed in a time of climate crisis. To learn more about our work, please watch The Green Connection Documentary. It is the reality that our children have begun to speak to. Our children want a place at the table with this critical conversation.
Our teachings are aligned with environmental nonprofits and organizations throughout the region, including best practices and information on taking care of our urban forest. For example, volcano mulching is a detrimental practice that works against tree health. Moreover, we develop educational videos so that once we plant, we can preserve through best practices. Check out these educational videos: Volcano Mulching and Volcano Mulching Hazards By aligning ourselves with other forward thinking environmental organizations, we can grow effectively and efficiently work toward a healthier environment for our region.
We are aligned with the education of Penn State Extension and the work of Educator and Forester Scott Sjolander, and the best practices of the DCNR, TREEVitalize. See documentary The Green Connection - Founder Diane Christin Esser on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/reforestationmovement/. For ordinances: https:// www.saveourlandsaveourtowns.org/index.html