The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay will hold its kickoff training for Lancaster County Tree Tenders on Saturday, March 1, at Bright Side Opportunities Center, 515 Hershey Ave., Lancaster, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Lancaster County Tree Tenders is a volunteer initiative focused on increasing urban tree canopy throughout the county by planting and caring for trees and teaching neighbors about trees.

By planting trees, residents can directly help improve local stream health and the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Trees provide many ecosystem services. They are one of the most cost-effective measures to improve local air and water quality, and in urban areas, trees shade impervious surfaces and reduce stormwater runoff while also providing wildlife habitat. 

All interested volunteers will receive Penn State Tree Tenders training covering tree biology, common tree stressors, and how to properly plant and care for trees. Penn State urban forester Vinnie Cotrone will provide a live planting demonstration. The training is offered free of cost, but registration is required by Thursday, Feb. 27.

In addition to the training, Tree Tenders participants will meet several times a year to learn together and socialize, and they will work on projects to grow and care for the urban trees in their community.

People of all experience levels are welcome. For more information, visit http://www.allianceforthebay.org/event/lancaster-county-tree-tenders-kickoff-meeting/ or call 717-517-8698.

Lancaster County Tree Tenders is a program coordinated by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Funding for this program - including trees for planting in local communities - comes from the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is a regional, nonprofit organization working to bring together communities, companies, and conservationists to improve the area's lands and waters. The organization has an office in Lancaster.