>> DISCOVER VB NOTABLE TREES

What if you could build a machine that would take carbon dioxide out of the air helping to moderate climate change? And this machine would release oxygen back into the air to support animal life. It could also clean our water, provide food and homes for multitudes of species, help control flooding, shade our homes in the summer keeping them cooler, and it was self-sustaining. This machine, once planted, needed virtually no care to continue to provide these benefits for hundreds of years. Trees do all of this and basically just ask us to leave them alone and let them continue their great work. For these reasons, LRNow is celebrating trees and the important relationship between forests and water.

Trees and Water Quality –

Water and trees are integrally linked. Forests have an amazing ability to aid in the filtration of water by filtering sediments and taking up nutrients before it reaches our waterways. These natural sponges also help prevent erosion of sediment into the water and help to replenish the water table by allowing water to enter the ground. The trees on our land intercept the rain keeping some on the leaves and branches to evaporate into the atmosphere and soften the rain that falls to the ground. Trees can store many gallons of water helping to keep our lawns and streets from flooding. Trees take in carbon dioxide that could otherwise be dissolved in the ocean, making the ocean waters more acidic and damaging marine life including our oysters.

Photosynthesis is the cornerstone of all life on our planet. Photosynthesis removes carbon dioxide naturally – and trees are especially good at storing carbon removed from the atmosphere by photosynthesis. For example, every acre of land restored to temperate forest can sequester about three metric tons of CO2 per year. Read more about how trees help combat climate change.

Shared by our Members –

Most of us have a favorite tree. Maybe it was one you climbed as a kid. Maybe it is the one you watch through the seasons from your kitchen window or one you pass on your daily walk. Imagine for a minute the world without trees. It would be a desolate place. It would also be a place devoid of all life as trees are what support all life on our planet. Read wonderful Tree Stories submitted by our members.

Recent Projects –

In November 2020, volunteers planted almost 400 trees in Ocean Lakes neighborhood of Virginia Beach to help mitigate flooding. Read the 10Wavy article here.

Then in 2021, the second year in a row, staff and volunteers with the LRNow staff planted 200 native trees in parks and green spaces, adding to the 400 they planted in Ocean Lakes the year before. Working with the homeowners association, staff and volunteers spent two days digging and flagging holes, putting trees in the ground, mulching, staking, and watering.

“Planting trees is about the most important thing you can do to fight climate change, sea level rise and flooding,” says Karen Forget, director of LRNow.

The trees will have a positive impact on the Ocean Lakes environment by soaking up excess water, purifying the air, reducing air temperature and providing habitat for wildlife. Residents will benefit from extra shade and beautiful landscaping.

Funding to purchase trees and supplies came from the Virginia Department of Forestry, Kenneth Greif Tree Fund, and the Malbon Family Fund.

Watch this video to learn more about our Restoration Program!

Provided by The Meridian Group