Pennsylvania plants 33 trees in Harrisburg as part of statewide stormwater and greening effort

The Shapiro Administration joined local officials and volunteers in Harrisburg’s Cloverly Heights neighborhood to plant 33 trees as part of a statewide initiative aimed at reducing stormwater runoff, expanding urban shade, and improving community livability. The effort is part of a $500,000 investment in urban tree planting across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn joined Harrisburg Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams for the planting event, which included oak, serviceberry, and eastern redbud trees.

“The trees we plant today will stand long after us. They’ll make our neighborhoods healthier, our air cleaner, and our future a little brighter,” Secretary Dunn said in a press release.

The trees were supplied through the TreePennsylvania Bare-Root Tree Program and the City of Harrisburg. This fall, the program is distributing 1,100 trees to 51 communities with support from a DCNR grant, private donations, and federal funds.

Since 2023, more than 225 mostly native trees have been planted in Harrisburg during recurring spring and fall volunteer events.

“Every tree we plant is an investment in the health and hope of our city,” said Mayor Williams in a press release. “These new plantings are more than beautification -- they represent our commitment to cleaner air, cooler neighborhoods, and stronger communities.”

Urban tree planting plays a role in stormwater management by reducing runoff, improving infiltration, and mitigating localized flooding. Additional benefits include reduced energy costs, improved air quality, and expanded habitat for wildlife.

In 2024, the Shapiro Administration invested $10.5 million in grants for community tree planting, streamside buffers, and lawn-to-habitat conversions.

Residents can support future tree-planting projects through the Keystone Tree Fund, which accepts donations online or through an optional $3 check-off on driver’s license and vehicle registration renewals.