This year, America is celebrating its 250th anniversary and while many of us will be celebrating with friends and family, others will be celebrating through planting trees.
Casey Trees, an urban forestry nonprofit located in Washington, DC, has worked diligently for the past 25 years to make America’s Capital region greener and healthier through planting, caring for, and protecting the area’s trees. With the support of a dedicated staff, strong DC-area partnerships, and volunteers, they have planted nearly 70,000 trees and are now just 3% away from reaching the city’s goal of 40% canopy coverage by 2032 (currently at 37%).
With the number of trees planted and volunteer engagements organized throughout the year, Casey Trees has utilized ArcGIS to stay organized and document their work. More specifically, Casey Trees has leveraged ArcGIS technology to map and monitor the growth of urban tree canopy, track tree plantings, and share interactive maps with the public and stakeholders. This spatial data enables them to strategically identify areas in need of more trees and assess the impact of their efforts over time.
“GIS is a powerful tool that not only informs our daily operations but can be used to tell a story and empower everyday citizens with information and resources,” said Michaila Musman, senior program manager at Casey Trees. “We’re able to use spatial analysis to visualize what we have achieved as an organization since our inception and determine where tree planting will be most impactful in a warming world. By analyzing heat, demographic, and tree canopy data, we’re working to ensure that DC remains the City of Trees for years to come.”
Building on these achievements, Casey Trees is marking the nation’s upcoming milestone with a special initiative designed to further strengthen its tree-planting efforts, while giving back to the city’s beloved green spaces. The 250 Years of America, 250 Trees for its Capital campaign commemorates the 250th anniversary of America by planting 250 trees on national parkland across Washington, DC. Through this project, Casey Trees has teamed up with National Capital Parks-East (NACE), a unit of the National Park Service, to restore these iconic federal green spaces with native, historic trees planted in reference to original planting maps. Further, this partnership is rooted in community support, with each tree sponsored by a member of the community and many planted by volunteers. The project not only celebrates a historic milestone but also fosters community engagement and environmental stewardship by focusing on sustainable growth and improved air quality in the Capital region.
“Whether it’s picking up trash in the park or sponsoring a tree planting, it’s wonderful when community members step up and take a direct interest in improving our shared green spaces,” said Valerie Fitton Kane, director of development at Casey Trees. “I sponsored a tree in honor of my family, and my husband and kids helped me plant it. And that’s what many people are choosing to do through this campaign: celebrate the past, the present, and the future all at once.”
As Casey Trees continues to make strides toward its ambitious goal, community engagement remains a cornerstone of their approach. There are several ways the community can get involved and support Casey Trees’ mission. Individuals and families are encouraged to volunteer for tree planting and invasive vine removal events or sign up to have a free tree planted on their property and help grow the city’s tree canopy. General donations or tree sponsorships as part of the 250 Years of America, and 250 Trees for its Capital campaign also play a critical role in sustaining ongoing projects and expanding their impact across Washington, DC. By contributing time, resources, or expertise, supporters help Casey Trees advance urban canopy goals, foster environmental stewardship, and create greener neighborhoods for future generations.
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