Bay 101: Planting trees for the Chesapeake

Returning trees to the landscape offers local and downstream benefits

With the ability to soak up pollution like a sponge, trees play a central role in Chesapeake Bay watershed restoration. While a farmer might plant a riparian forest buffer to stabilize eroding streambanks, a city might plant trees to reduce stormwater and provide valuable shade to overheated neighborhoods. Trees protect rivers and streams all through the Chesapeake, which means cleaner water flowing to the Bay.

State and federal agencies, cities and nonprofits are all working to return trees to the region, which includes parts of New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Delaware, as well as the District of Columbia. Hear from staff at one such nonprofit, the James River Association, as they plant trees for both aquatic life and people, both upstream and downstream.

Video Credits

Produced by

Will Parson

Music:

"Old Oak Tree" by Scott Holmes Music; "The Ants Built A City On His Chest" by Doctor Turtle; "City Lights" by HoliznaCC0. All music via FreeMusicArchive.org under license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Additional footage:

Rhiannon Johnston

Special thanks to

Amber Ellis, Joseph Shelton and Justin Doyle