Adams County Planting Partnership

A Growing Success: Adams County Planting Partnership's Impactful Fall Distribution

Gettysburg, PA – The Adams County Planting Partnership (ACPP) celebrated another monumental success during its recent fall seedling distribution, further solidifying its commitment to a healthier local environment. This initiative, a collaborative effort between the Watershed Alliance of Adams County, the Adams County Conservation District, and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Keystone 10 Million Trees Partnership, has become a cornerstone of community-driven conservation in the region.

The fall event saw the distribution of over 6,580 native tree and shrub seedlings to  290 local residents. This was made possible with seedlings supplied by the PA Seedling Cooperative and the Keystone 10 Million Trees program. This distribution brought the total number of seedlings planted since the partnership's inception in 2018 to over 98,000. This fall's distribution was particularly significant as it was the final one sponsored by the Keystone 10 Million Trees program, marking the successful culmination of a key phase of the project.

Mission in Action: Cleaner Water, Healthier Ecosystems

The ACPP's mission is simple yet vital: to get native trees and shrubs into the hands of county residents who have the ability to plant them, whether on acres of land or in a small backyard. These plantings serve a critical environmental function, with priority given to areas along streams, ponds, and waterways.

Once planted, these native species work hard to:

• Stabilize soil and prevent erosion.

• Filter pollutants and excess nutrients from stormwater runoff, improving water quality in local streams and the Chesapeake Bay.

• Provide essential habitat and food for local wildlife.

• Lower stream temperatures through shade, creating a better environment for aquatic life.

Some of the first seedlings planted in the early years of the partnership have already grown to more than 15 feet tall and are actively performing these environmental services.

Community and Collaboration Drive Success

The success of the fall distribution, like previous events, relied heavily on community engagement. Thirty-five dedicated volunteers contributed close to 300 hours to prepare and distribute the seedlings. The partnership has grown from distributing just 500 trees in 2018 to facilitating the planting of thousands of seedlings per season, a testament to the community's willingness to help build a healthier ecosystem.

As the Keystone 10 Million Trees initiative concludes, the ACPP is exploring ways to continue offering native seedlings to Adams County residents, ensuring the legacy of a greener, cleaner future for generations to come. The partnership invites all interested residents to stay tuned for future opportunities to volunteer or request seedlings.