– 2019 program will provide 75,000 free redbud seedlings for children, teens in 18 states
– Now in its 13th year, program expanding to regions in North and South Carolina
– More than half-million tree seedlings distributed since 2007
RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 7, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — Project Plant It! – the free environmental education program created by Dominion Energy to teach kids about the important role of trees in the ecosystem – has been expanded to 18 states, including the Carolinas. Online enrollment for the program is now being offered in regions of North and South Carolina previously served by SCANA gas and electric companies. Dominion Energy and SCANA merged in early January.
“Arbor Day 2019 will mark the thirteenth year for Project Plant It! and we are so pleased to extend this popular environmental program in communities that are now part of the Dominion Energy family,” said Hunter A. Applewhite, president of the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. “So far, thousands of children have been able to learn about and celebrate trees by planting seedlings received from Project Plant It!.”
This year, Project Plant It! will ship 75,000 tree seedlings free-of-charge to participants in time for Arbor Day plantings on April 26. The program is open to groups serving children and teens of all ages and grade levels. Schools, scout troops, civic and church groups, environment clubs and other entities that work with youth are eligible to request tree seedlings athttp://www.projectplantit.com/. The deadline to register is Feb. 15, 2019, or while supplies last.
The 2019 program includes several improved features to engage adults and youth in learning about the science and environmental benefits of trees:
- A newly-refreshed website, at http://www.projectplantit.com/, offers an easy sign-up procedure for tree seedlings and highlights the educator resources and lesson plans that can be downloaded for free.
- Three new educational games are featured on the website for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. These games are perfect for rainy day fun when kids can’t play outside.
The website also includes a number of instructional tools, including an Educator’s Guide with 12 lesson plans that support third-grade learning standards for math, science, language arts and social studies.
“Project Plant It! promotes environmental sustainability, especially when the redbud seedlings are planted in areas to prevent soil erosion,” said Rebecca Musso, a teacher at T. Benton Gayle Middle School in Stafford County, Va. “A pond on our school grounds is located downhill from our sports fields, so our students planted several redbud seedlings at the base of the hill to reduce pollutants entering the pond. Thanks to Dominion Energy and Project Plant It!, we’re helping to restore the natural habitat of the pond and we’re looking forward to doing another project like this in 2019.”
Fast Facts about Project Plant It!
Project Plant It! was established by Dominion Energy in 2007 to educate children, plant trees and improve the environment. The tree seedlings are grown and shipped to participants in April by the Arbor Day Foundation, a longtime partner with Dominion Energy. From 2007-2019, more than 560,000 tree seedlings will have been distributed to children in states where Dominion Energy operates. According to the Virginia Department of Forestry, this equates to about 1,400 acres of new forest if all of the seedlings are planted and grow to maturity.
For more information, visit http://www.projectplantit.com/
About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
Nearly 7.5 million customers in 18 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed more than $30 million in 2018 to community causes throughout its footprint and beyond. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more.