Heavy rains and land development have led to increased erosion in Brush Creek, located in Cranberry Township near Pittsburgh. In response, local officials have initiated a $2.6 million project aimed at curbing streambank erosion and enhancing water clarity.
FirstEnergy’s western Pennsylvania Green Team recently collaborated with the township and 90 students and teachers from Seneca Valley’s Ryan Gloyer Middle School to plant 100 redbud trees near the creek. The initiative took place in a grassy park area.
The Green Team consists of FirstEnergy employees who volunteer for environmental activities such as tree planting and park cleanups. Mike Manipole, a Seneca Valley health and physical education teacher and elected township supervisor, emphasized the importance of the students’ efforts: “You’re here for a very important purpose: stopping stream bank erosion, building habitat for animals and growing community!”
Trees are crucial for environmental stability; they absorb carbon dioxide, manage stormwater that can lead to erosion, protect waterways, and enhance landscapes. They also provide necessary food and shelter for wildlife.
Jessica Shaffer, an environmental scientist at FirstEnergy leading the tree-planting initiative, shared her expertise with the students to ensure successful growth of the newly planted trees. She advised them on proper planting techniques: “Once this baby tree is in the ground, you need to push the dirt down around her with your hands or your foot. If any air pockets in the dirt get on the root, it will kill the tree.”
Participants spent their day digging holes, planting saplings, and wrapping them in protective plastic tubes to safeguard against wildlife damage.
Jason Zalewski, another FirstEnergy environmental scientist responsible for permit compliance monitoring related to transmission projects, encouraged students by saying: “When you are seniors, you can all come back and see all these trees you planted and how tall they grew.”
This event contributed to FirstEnergy surpassing its milestone of planting over 100,000 trees since 2020 across six states. This year alone expects more than 30,000 trees planted throughout FirstEnergy’s service areas.
Further information about FirstEnergy’s sustainability efforts is available at www.fecorporateresponsibility.com.
