In the News
Southwest Globe Times Newspaper “School Learns One Tree can become Many” 4/5/07
By Grady Burke
It’s difficult to believe that a major greening project at a Southwest Philadelphia elementary school, began with simple directions to meet at a corner under a tree.
“We’ll meet at the one tree on the block, on the corner of 51st by the school,” explained Amanda Benner, executive director of UC Green.
Thus the planning for March 31 tree planting began for Benner of University City (UC) Green, a grassroots tree-planting and urban greening non-profit.
Last summer Benner and B.B. Comegys Elementary School Principal Franklin Gantz, Dennis Lee of Project NEAT (Neighborhood Environmental Action Team), Fairmount Park Commission’s street tree inspector Dave Cupps, and neighborhood activist, Michelle Robinson, met to walk around the school and identified 45 locations where new trees could be planted.
While every grade-schooler learns that trees clean the air we breathe, their parents may be interested to know that the shade from trees can reduce air-conditioning costs by 20%. Some of the lesser known benefits of trees and green space include reduced crime, less domestic violence, enhanced ability to concentrate, and stronger social connections.
Trees also help provide stormwater control, reducing flooding and lessening the strain on the sewer systems. One mature tree can catch and hold over 500 gallons of rainwater, diverting it from the stormwater inlets.
Lee emphasizes the importance of this environmental message.
“We have to work together to keep our drinking water clean,” said Lee.
His team removed and recycled over three tons of concrete to open up the sidewalk planting areas around the school and neighboring blocks for the new trees. Less concrete and more trees means better storm water control and a healthier watershed.
With educational instruction from Johannah Fine, a certified arborist and active volunteer with UC Green, and mentoring support from Overbrook High School students, teachers and sixth-grade students from Comegys helped plant and learn about the new trees. Principal Gantz plans to continue the environmental education opportunities. Working with community volunteers a plan is emerging to transform the playground’s asphalt to recreational and educational green space.
The trees were provided through Pennsylvania’s TreeVitalize partnership, and UC Green recruited 200 volunteers from the local neighborhood and many Tree Tender groups around the city. Some participants were interested in community service and environmental action, including the University of Pennsylvania’s Muslim Student Association, Psi Upsilon/The Castle, International Students, Thomas Jefferson University’s Graduate Student Association, and Philadelphia public school students from grade 8 through 12 involved in the Educational Advancement Alliance’s After School Enrichment Program.
Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell was present to support the effort as were neighbors of the Comegys School.
“I wanted to help support our neighborhood,” said Ida Wilson, a longtime resident, helped sign-in volunteers at the registration table.
Additional support for the project came from the Ben Franklin Coffeehouse Challenge, University City District, Stoneyfield Yogurt, FreshGrocer, Green Line Café, Kingsessing Recreation Center Advisory Council.