Three local organizations were among nine partner groups that will share $30,000 in grant funds so that trees they have planted across Pennsylvania can live longer, grow stronger and have a better chance to clean and protect local waterways.

The awards announced recently are comprised of $15,000 of a tree survival grant to the Keystone 10 Million (K10) Trees Partnership by the Foxwynd Foundation of Chester County, which was matched by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). 

Foxwynd's grant is the first for its environmental focus and mission to support initiatives that foster community well-being and resilience. K10 is coordinated by CBF.

The tree survival funding will be used for maintenance, supplies and logistical support for trees planted by the K10 partnership, which has grown to more than 300 partner organizations.

Local K10 partners who received grants and their intended uses include: Horn Farm Center for Agricultural Education in York for inventory, replanting of dead trees and maintenance of multifunctional riparian buffer plantings; Watershed Alliance of York, supplies for maintaining 100 acres of riparian forest buffer within York County, supported by 25 Riparian Ranger volunteers; and Let's Go 1-2-3 of Lancaster for re-staking and replacing tree protection, removing weeds and invasives, inventory of dead or dying trees and researching issues with planting sites and techniques, assessing tree and shrub survival rates and creating a maintenance plan for cemetery plot plantings.

Trees are among the most cost-effective tools for cleaning and protecting waterways. Trees filter and absorb polluted runoff, stabilize streambanks and improve soil quality. They also help address the threats of extreme weather by cooling the air and sequestering carbon.

Foxwynd Foundation's total donation of $75,000 to K10 is funded by the Foxwynd Foundation Donor Advised Fund. Launched in January 2024, the Foxwynd Foundation has impacted environmental sustainability, health care and housing through 32 organizations in 17 U.S. states.

To learn more about K10, visit http://www.tenmilliontrees.org.