ShoreRivers to plant over 1,000 trees

EASTON — A committed group of 100 volunteers is planting native species trees from Chestertown to Cambridge and from Greensboro to Tilghman Island.

ShoreRivers has created a program to plant native species trees in urban areas on the Eastern Shore — the Tree the Shore program.

The organization recently received a grant from the Department of Natural Resources to plant 158 trees, which adds to funding already received from Chesapeake Bay Trust for 1,000 trees.

“It makes our communities more walkable, more livable, and has the added benefit of shading homes. So it becomes more economical to keep your home cool,” said Jennifer Vaccarro, community restoration coordinator for ShoreRivers.

Volunteers, called tree stewards, get involved by spreading the word about the program, conducting site assessments to make sure the trees are being put in the spots where they can thrive, and keeping an eye on the trees after they are planted.

One such volunteer is Sophie Leight of Easton.

“It was a super easy and quick way to get involved in environmentalism and restoration. I have really enjoyed engaging with the community in a different way,” she said.

“It seems like such a small action to plant a tree, but I know that small actions definitely add up. All those little actions matter so much,” Leight said.

Restoration dollars for private properties are rare, Vaccarro said, making this opportunity for residents to get free trees unusual.

“The scale of it — we are trying to make a long-term, big difference in the livability of our towns,” she said. “(The trees) not only benefit the birds, but they have so many benefits for people.

“When there is a healthy tree canopy present, asthma rates go down. Trees naturally clean the air around them,” Vaccoro said. “Being in a shaded, green environment is calming to your central nervous system so it will reduce stress.”

There are also environmental and ecological benefits to planting the trees.

“As we built out our towns, that were usually forests, we have removed habitat that is important to birds and insects and small mammals,” Vaccoro said. “Typically when we put that habitat back, it has not come in the form of native plants that are from here.

“The trees we are planting are all native — tees that coevolved here on the Eastern Shore with those birds, insects and small mammals. They are providing really crucial habitat,” she said.

Carlos Estin has planted many trees as a volunteer with the program.

“I have been with the Tree the Shore program for three years. We have done projects over at Great Marsh, Meadow Park and long wharf. Now we are working on the neighborhoods. There are studies that show an incredible psychological benefit. People start taking better care of themselves and their lawns,” he said.

It really brings the community together,” Estin said.

There will be another volunteer training in the fall for people who want to get involved. For more information, go to shorerivers.org/tree-the-shore.