Regional Partnership to Restore 
Tree Cover in Southeastern PA

PA Governor Edward G. Rendell recently launched “TreeVitalize,” an aggressive four-year, $8 million partnership to plant more than 20,000 shade trees and 2,000 acres of forested riparian buffers to restore tree cover in southeastern Pennsylvania.

“The five-county Philadelphia region has lost more than 5 million trees over the last 15 years,” Governor Rendell said. TreeVitalize is designed to halt the environmental, aesthetic and economic loss and revitalize older communities, improve air and water, and enhance the quality of life for the citizens. The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) is leading the regional partnership in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to restore tree cover in cities and towns in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties. Tree cover refers to the percentage of land shaded by trees and shrubs. In addition to coordinating resources to support tree plantings, TreeVitalize aims to train 2,000 volunteers in proper tree care techniques. These “citizen foresters” will provide urban forestry assistance to communities and educate homeowners on proper tree care and planting. The Governor noted that the collaboration fostered by the partnership will help address more zoning strategies and best land use practices that can greatly affect overall tree cover. The nursery industry is a key partner in the effort. Pennsylvania is one of the top horticultural producers in the U.S. and the leading producer of nursery and floriculture crops in the Northeast. For more information on TreeVitalize, log on to http://www.treevitalize.net.

DEP Update 5/7/2004