SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Almost a hundred volunteers came out for a tree planting celebration in Spokane Valley on Saturday.
This project is part of the Cool Canopy Initiative which hopes to bring more than 700 trees to the Appleway Trail.
The Spokane Conservation District said around two weeks ago, 18 oak trees were vandalized in Spokane Valley. Despite the challenges, people came together Saturday to plant 75 new ones.
“You are doing service but you are actually having fun,” said volunteer Karina Hernandez.
Hernandez and her family try to help with the Lands Council’s tree planting initiatives at least four times a year. To them, it’s more than just a way to give back – it gives them family time.
“I believe that service is really important,” Hernandez said. “It just teaches kids and molds them to be a better person and value what the earth gives.”
The Cool Canopy program was introduced by the Spokane Conservation District. It works to increase tree canopy coverage in Spokane County while addressing environmental justice and promoting healthier communities.
“These urban trees provide a lot of benefits to our community,” said Justyce Brant, the restoration coordinator at the Lands Council. “They help to keep the air clean and the water clean. They help to visually improve this area, make it look beautiful so we feel more relaxed.”
For Brant, hearing of the vandalized trees was saddening, especially considering the work that had been put into planting them. But seeing the resilience in the community was gratifying.
“It just brings me a lot of joy to see people of all ages and backgrounds get together for one really good cause to improve our urban forest and plant trees,” Brant said.
For families like Hernandez’s, the planting ceremony gave her the chance to teach her kids one of the things she values most: giving back.
“It’s just important to be less selfish and less self-centered and be more compassionate,” she said.
You can find more information on how to get involved here.
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