Newly-planted trees along Pennsylvania streams will live longer, grow stronger, and have a better chance to clean and protect local waters, thanks to a grant by the Foxwynd Foundation of Chester County to the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership. The partnership is coordinated by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF).
The $75,000 tree survival grant from the Foxwynd Foundation, of Uwchland, PA, stems from its mission to support initiatives that foster community well-being and resilience.
“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.
Learn more about the Foxwynd Foundation and the Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership.
