100+ Volunteers Support TreesCharlotte NeighborWoods Tree Planting at Southside Holmes

Charlotte’s most recognizable asset – its tree canopy – got a big boost on Dec. 1, thanks to many great volunteers who participated in a collaborative tree-planting effort managed by Catawba Lands Conservancy (CLC).

TreesCharlotte NeighborWoods Program, in partnership with the Charlotte Housing Authority, City of Charlotte and Crescent Resources, hosted a tree-planting event at the Southside Holmes community. Approximately 280 trees were planted by about 120 volunteers from Crescent Resources, Carolinas HealthCare System, Queens University and Catawba Lands Conservancy. As these trees mature, the existing tree canopy within the Southside community will nearly doubling from 27% to 48%. 

“This project will enhance the Charlotte Housing Authority landscape for our residents to enjoy a wonderful canopy during all four seasons,” said A. Fulton Meachem, Charlotte Housing Authority CEO/President. “And the value goes beyond the added trees and beauty, since this also provides an opportunity for the children to learn the importance of trees in our eco-system.”

NeighborWoods is managed by CLC in partnership with the City of Charlotte, with the ultimate goal of planting 3,500 trees each year in neighborhoods across the City. Within the next few weeks, the City of Charlotte will plant an additional 187 trees along the community’s streets.

“We’re happy to be part of this collaborative effort that will beautify the Southside campus as well as contribute to the City of Charlotte’s goal of increasing its tree canopy to 50% by 2050,” said Julie Burch, Assistant City Manager.

Crescent Resources, the event sponsor and a key partner with TreesCharlotte, provided resources and volunteers for the event.

“The Crescent Resources team is very enthusiastic about contributing to this worthwhile effort,” said Todd Mansfield, president of Crescent Resources. “The trees we planted will bring multiple benefits to the residents, visitors and students in the area for many years to come.”

Former CLC Executive Director Dave Cable is the director of TreesCharlotte. Additional TreesCharlotte NeighborWoods tree-planting events will take place in the coming months throughout the spring of 2013. Anyone interested in volunteering, partnering or donating may contact CLC Adminstrative Director Heike Biller at heike@catawbalands.org for more information. Thank you to CLC Volunteer and Supporter Nancy Pierce who photographed the event.