On June 29th, 2013, Cacapon
Institute engaged volunteers from across the eastern
panhandle of West Virginia in a community tree planting in
Martinsburg, West Virginia. Generous funding from the
Ecolab Foundation allowed Cacapon Institute the
opportunity to host this community event and plant 15 maple
trees back into the neighborhood.
The shade trees, once mature, will
enhance the City of Martinsburg’s urban tree canopy. UTC
plays a vital role in communities by decreasing heating and
cooling costs, reducing stormwater runoff pollution,
creating shade and wildlife habitat, increasing community
livability and aesthetics, and providing recreational
opportunities.
On the day of the tree planting, 24
volunteers from multiple organizations came out to lend a
hand and do their part to create healthier communities and
increase UTC in the City of Martinsburg. Volunteers include
15 girl scouts from a local troop, City of Martinsburg
Department of Public Works employees, shade tree commission
members, WV Division of Forestry and WV Conservation Agency
employees, and Cacapon Institute staff.
This tree planting is part of a larger
initiative taking place in the City of Martinsburg and
Berkeley County to set tree canopy goals to protect and
enhance UTC within the City and throughout the County.
Additionally, Old Mill Crossing subdivision is one of a
selected few communities throughout the Eastern Panhandle of
West Virginia who is actively taking steps to address
environmental issues on their properties through a program
called Community Environmental Management.
