Vision Together 2025 prepares to plant 400 trees in Johnstown
The organization received a private tree grant through the Community Foundation of the Alleghenies, alongside the U.S. Forestry Tree Grant awarded last year to further environmental sustainability and community beautification across the Johnstown region.
The private grant totals $28,000 and will be used to put fruit trees in the public housing units and community gardens in the city this Saturday.
'We're going to be planting 28 trees, between Oakhurst Community Housing, the Solomon Run Community Housing and the Coopersdale Community Housing are all going to receive fruit trees. They'll be accessible to the tenants, and they'll be free food that they can utilize and take as they want. And then we'll also be providing some trees for the West End Community Garden and the Women's Health Center,' Rob Forcey, Executive Director for Vision Together 2025, said.
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It's designed to enhance green spaces in underserved neighborhoods while promoting health, food security and sustainability.
With volunteers, the organization will also plant 25 shade trees on Saturday, using money from the federal grant. More than 300 trees will also be planted in the fall, and dozens of volunteers will be needed.
'The more trees we have in the city, the cooler the city is, the less we have to spend on electricity to cool the homes. You know, it kind of is one of those things where not only is it something that beautifies the area, but it also provides a significant advantage and lowers the temperature of the city,' Forcey said.
A total of 20 trees were planted in Cambria City between Tuesday and Wednesday. They vary in species between Elm, Gingko, Honey Locust, Yellowwood, Serviceberry and London Plane.
To become a volunteer with Vision Together 2025 or learn more about the tree planting project, email rob@johnstownvision.com.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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