planting trees

Going Green in Bel Air

Freedom Staff Contribute to Arbor Day Efforts

Freedom staff at Department of Natural Resources tree planting event, Arbor Day 2017
From L to R, Rachel Schmidt, Holly Downey, Susan Tannahill, Michele Young, Sharon Mellor, and Mike MacPherson

Freedom staff pitched in this Arbor Day, planting trees as part of our continuing effort to better our community. The Department of Natural Resources Arbor Day event allowed us to help plant the trees and shrubs that earned Bel Air the “Tree City” designation.

Two hundred of the trees planted on April 14 were donated by Freedom as a result of our “go green” electronic statement campaign of 2016. We donated trees to the DNR on behalf of those members who eliminated paper waste by going electronic. Rather than plant many saplings, we decided to plant fewer, larger trees to increase the odds that they survive and thrive.

 

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Rachel Schmidt wrapping a sapling in protective mesh
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Rows of saplings planted during the Arbor Day event
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Freedom staff pitch in to mulch around a newly planted tree