On Saturday, Dec. 7, The Charles County Resilience Authority held a tree-planting event at Thomas Stone High School to plant 481 native seedlings.

The planting operation occurred at Thomas Stone High School, identified as an Overburdened and Underserved Area by the 2021 Tree Solutions Now Act.

“Thomas Stone is in an Urban Heat Island, and trees help us adapt to increasing temperatures by providing cooling benefits with shade and reducing both air and surface temperatures; these newly planted trees will contribute to energy conservation and improve air quality while storing carbon dioxide, a primary driver of climate change,” Stacy Schaefer, Executive Director of the Resilience Authority of Charles County, said. “The trees’ leaf canopies will improve water quality by reducing rainwater runoff, and planting and maintaining the trees create climate resilience-oriented education, community engagement, job opportunities, and a sense of place.”

The tree-planting operation also provides an opportunity for Charles County Public School students to learn proper planting techniques and ongoing care for the county’s native trees. They will also learn the science behind trees' impact on community climate resilience and the importance of biodiversity in the environment.

Volunteers included students and young adults from the Resilience Authority Youth Corps, a group hosted by the Student Conservation Association; the group offers a range of environmental programs to give students hands-on experience in conservation fields such as urban sustainability, historical preservation, wildlife, and more.

Visit the  Resilience Authority of Charles County | Charles County, MD for more information.

An archive of photos from the event is also available online.