Green Initiative: Trees for Trails
As you ride along the Camden Greenway, you may have noticed new trees and other foliage lining the trail. This greening of the Greenway is thanks to our friends at the New Jersey Tree Foundation! The NJ Tree Foundation, a Circuit Coalition partner, is continuing this effort in 2016 to give the Circuit Trails in Camden a face-lift through its Trees for Trails project. With support from the William Penn Foundation, the Trees to Trails project began in 2015 with the goal of beautifying the trails, parks and on-street bike paths throughout Camden.
In addition to creating beautiful scenery, there are many benefits to planting new trees along the trails. Did you know that removing the concrete and adding trees allows stormwater to filter naturally, therefore decreasing stormwater runoff that otherwise would end up in Camden’s combined sewer system where it contributes to flooding? Or did you know that an increased tree canopy can improve the air quality in the city of Camden?
This past year, the NJ Tree Foundation and its volunteers planted maple, dogwood and redbud trees as well as other beautiful plants along the various Circuit Trails throughout Camden. Since its inception in 2002, the NJ Tree Foundation has planted more than 6,000 trees in the Camden area. As part of the Trees to Trails Project in the spring and fall of 2016, the NJ Tree Foundation will host a series of tree planting events open to the Camden community and general public. Many of the trails are part of the Camden Greenway, which provides access to open space for recreational, educational and leisure activities for residents. If you haven’t tested out trails in Camden yet, check out the Circuit Trails map of Camden County and plan your route!
Do you have a green thumb and are interested in volunteering, donating or learning more about the NJ Tree Foundation? Visit their website at www.njtreefoundation.org or contact Senior Program Director Jessica Franzini at .
