Posted: May 4, 2018

Volunteers planted 400 trees along the Swatara Creek.

Volunteers plant trees.

Volunteers plant trees.

What's an essential ingredient in brewing beer? Hops, yes. But so is clean water.
On Friday, April 20 the AEC joined Troegs Brewing Company, the Manada Conservancy, Lower Swatara Township, Londonderry Township, Herbert, Rowland & Grubic, Inc. (HRG), Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and Greening the Lower Susquehanna volunteers to plant 400 trees along the Swatara Creek.

The project was a continuation of a planting started in 2017 to convert a large, mowed field to a healthy, forest ecosystem that will reduce stormwater runoff and help protect the Swatara.

The planting is part of the Keystone Ten Million Trees Partnership launched this spring by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. CBF and a list of growing partners seek to plant 10 million trees in Pennsylvania by the year 2025.

CBF provided trees, tree tubes and stakes. Other partners contributed to make the planting a success. The AEC mobilized and coordinated Greening the Lower Susquehanna volunteers to help with the planting. The Greening the Lower Susquehanna volunteer conservation corps is a group of over 500 citizens coordinated by the AEC and Penn State Extension who help participate in conservation projects throughout the Lower Susquehanna region.

Following the planting, partners and volunteers enjoyed refreshments provided by Troegs at Londonderry Township's Sunset Golf Course. Troegs, as a Manada Conservancy sponsor, has been a major supporter of this and other tree plantings in the area--providing both volunteer labor to plant trees and refreshments to reward good work.

To participate in future tree plantings in the Lower Susquehanna, consider joining the Greening the Lower Susquehanna volunteers by sending an email to .