Harrisburg, PA — November 14, 2025

The Shapiro Administration is putting down roots — literally — with a statewide effort to plant trees and improve community green spaces. On Friday, DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn helped plant 33 trees in Harrisburg’s Cloverly Heights neighborhood, highlighting the many ways trees benefit local communities.

The trees, including oaks, serviceberry, and eastern redbuds, were provided through the TreePennsylvania Bare-Root Tree Program as part of a $500,000 statewide initiative. This fall, the program is distributing 1,100 trees to 51 communities across Pennsylvania through a combination of state grants, private donations, and federal funding. Since 2023, Harrisburg alone has seen more than 225 trees planted during seasonal volunteer events.

“These trees will stand long after us,” Secretary Dunn said. “They’ll make our neighborhoods healthier, our air cleaner, and our future a little brighter.”

Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams added, “Every tree we plant is an investment in the health and hope of our city. They represent cleaner air, cooler neighborhoods, and stronger communities.”

Why This Matters for NEPA Residents

For residents of Wayne, Lackawanna, Pike, Monroe, and Luzerne counties, and Northeastern Pennsylvania at large, programs like this bring multiple benefits:

• Cleaner Air and Climate Benefits: Trees absorb carbon and pollutants, improving air quality in towns like Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Honesdale, and Stroudsburg.
• Cooling Neighborhoods: Shade from new trees can reduce urban heat in commercial centers, residential areas, and schools across NEPA.
• Stormwater Management: Tree canopies slow runoff, helping prevent flooding and erosion in communities near the Lackawanna River, Susquehanna River tributaries, and local creeks.
• Enhanced Property Values and Beautification: Streets lined with trees increase curb appeal and community pride, from Monroe County’s small towns to Luzerne County neighborhoods.
• Wildlife Habitat: Native species like oaks and serviceberry attract birds and pollinators, supporting local biodiversity.

The TreePennsylvania program and DCNR’s Urban and Community Forestry initiatives also provide guidance and grants for long-term care, helping communities plan, plant, and maintain trees sustainably.

Statewide, the Shapiro Administration invested $10.5 million in 2024 for tree planting, streamside forest restoration, and lawn-to-habitat conversions — projects that promote cleaner environments while also supporting local economies through volunteer work and civic engagement.

Residents can also contribute through the Keystone Tree Fund, supporting community and streamside plantings. For NEPA communities, that means more shade along streets, healthier watersheds, and greener public spaces for families to enjoy.

As Secretary Dunn noted, “These trees are more than just plants — they’re long-term investments in our communities, our environment, and our quality of life.”