Two years ago, the Miami Valley was devastated by a tornado outbreak that left many communities in shambles. As families continue to rebuild their homes, one area that has been significantly damaged is the natural landscape including the loss of mature trees in these neighborhoods.
Meteorologist McCall Vrydaghs and Kirstie Zontini sat down with Grady McGahan, the director of RETREET an organization that works with communities to replant mature and native trees in their communities to improve the landscape after a natural disaster strikes.
Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission and RETREET have started a multi-year TREEcovery Campaign to replant trees.
McGahan talked about how important it is for families to get the trees back in their yard to bring back a sense of normal and improve the environment. He also explained how RETREET works in a few short hours to plant large and mature trees that immediately make a community look and feel better after destruction. RETREET works with local nurseries and arborists to find out what native trees are needed and where to plant them properly.
Families, volunteers, other members of the community will work together over several weekends over the next two years, to plant one thousand trees back into neighborhoods from west to east along the path of the outbreak. After each planting, RETREET hosts a community meal to celebrate and bring everyone together.
This fall, the campaign will be planting trees. If you want to help or donate to the cause, click here.
If you are a family that is looking to have trees planted, click here to request help.
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