Student volunteers at tree planting.
Trees produce a host of services for humans and other living things and they provide these services for free. They filter pollution, from the air we breathe and the water we drink. They reduce flooding and erosion, replenish and clean ground water, lower water treatment costs for downstream users, and improve wildlife and pollinator habitat. Trees also store Carbon and help regulate temperatures buffering the effects of climate change. All you have to do is stand in the shade of a tree on a hot summer day to experience their cooling effect. A recent study published in Science asserted ‘the restoration of trees remains among the most effective strategies for climate change mitigation’ (Bastin et al., 2019). Trees are a natural, cost-effective solution to both clean water and climate resiliency. Every tree you protect or plant is a small, but vital step in the right direction.
Meet Robert Ritrovato. Robert is a homeowner and board member of the London Croft Homeowners Association (HOA) in London Grove Township. He is active in his community with an extraordinary interest in protecting and enhancing the protected HOA lands for both people and wildlife. Over the past few years he protected existing woodland from invasive vine and shrub encroachment. He helped maintain trails for recreation, and he started a wildflower meadow.
Robert Ritrovato, Community Activist.
Robert learned about a program that the White Clay Watershed Association sponsors called Catch the Rain, an incentive program that supports implementation of green stormwater practices on private lands. Being naturally curious, he contacted me and set up a site visit. As soon as we met, Robert had me walking the entire community showcasing his work and discussing opportunities to improve the natural lands in his community. His energy was contagious, and right of the bat we began to prioritize areas for restoration. We enlisted the help of Rob Daniels, Senior Land Use Planner from the Brandywine Conservancy, and eventually selected an area for a streamside tree planting where we saw the best opportunity for success.
Area of streamside buffer planting highlighted in green.
The selected site needed some additional phragmites (invasive species) treatment prior to the future planting, but on June 1, 2019 approximately 300 trees were planted along both sides of the 400-foot length of stream. The trees were purchased with grant funding from TreeVitalize and installed by about 30 volunteers under the supervision of the Brandywine Conservancy.
Photos above: Buffer before new tree planting with a few existing trees along the stream. Enhanced, wider buffer with native trees in tubes to protect from deer.
While it is impossible to plan for unpredictable weather, such as the extreme wet weather and saturated soil conditions of this year, we hedged our bets by planting a diverse range of native species hoping that some would adapt to changing climate conditions, and acknowledging that some would be lost along the way. Robert is the local ‘on the grounds’ person who will monitor the planting to detect any future issues to help ensure the success of the planting, and the HOA board agreed to support his efforts with the continued management of the planted area by funding some professional work as needed to combat invasive plants (plants from other regions that out compete our native vegetation making it difficult for them to get established).
Opportunities for tree plantings exist throughout the White Clay watershed, but there is also an urgent need to protect existing forests from development and neglect. Organizations like the Brandywine Conservancy and the Chester County Planning Commission can help municipalities plan for better growth through ordinance reviews and revisions, and local citizens can help by participating in municipal meetings or joining an Environmental Action Committee in their community. Every individual has the power to do something. Trees are one of the most cost-effective solutions at our disposal to mitigate climate change and clean our water. So, what are you waiting for? Plant a tree! The future is in your hands.
Interested in having someone come out to look at your property or HOA lands? Please contact Shane Morgan at mpc@whiteclay.org or learn more at CatchtheRain.org. (previously published in London Grove Township Fall Newsletter)