On Sunday morning of December 13, 2020, 50 volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation met at Tarken Playground in Philadelphia, PA, to plant trees in partnership with State Representative Jared Solomon.
About the City of Philadelphia’s Tree Canopy
The activity aims to improve the tree canopy that provides the City of Philadelphia with a wide range of benefits. These include: reducing air pollution, lowering temperatures during the hotter months, which helps decrease health risks like stroke, heart disease, and certain cancers. Tree canopies also provide a habitat for creatures and much more.
However, the 2018 Philadelphia Tree Canopy Assessment reported a loss of tree canopy in residential areas and other findings that pose a problem for the environment and people. The WeLoveU Foundation’s tree planting activity will help the City of Philadelphia recover by encouraging new growth.
State Representative Jared Solomon explained, “This neighborhood is one of those areas that lack the resources to really develop the tree canopy throughout our community. So, we got this grant; I helped spearhead the effort in order to create that canopy and create a community that puts our environment first.”
Learning From the Professionals
The Tree Authority performed a tree planting demonstration, and for many volunteers, it was their first time planting trees. They asked plenty of questions to make sure they understood the project at hand. At the end of the demonstration, the WeLoveU volunteers were split into small groups with an expert tree planter. Then, each group moved to their planting locations, equipped with all the tools needed to successfully plant trees: shovels, pickaxes, wooden stakes, and vinyl straps.
All morning long, volunteers planted trees in the center of Northeast Philadelphia. Now, 70 trees can call the grass beds in Levick Street their new home! While planting trees, the volunteers learned from the experts of the critical role trees play in Philadelphia.
The tree planting activity in Northeast Philadelphia is part of WeLoveU’s Clean WORLD Movement, a worldwide effort to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection in the face of climate change. Over the years, the WeLoveU Foundation has collaborated with Representative Solomon of the 202nd District through environmental cleanups, campaigns, and forums to put the environment and people first.
Just recently, in October, the WeLoveU Foundation hosted a Clean WORLD webinar with Representative Solomon. The forum emphasized the importance of keeping vacant lots clean and green through active volunteerism. On the following Sunday, WeLoveU volunteers and Rep. Solomon put what they said into practice by cleaning the Oxford Circle neighborhood.
