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Alliance for Cape Fear Trees says it will distribute thousands of trees, seeks fundraising match for watering truck
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Summary
The Alliance told the Wilmington Tree Commission it has distributed and planted hundreds of trees this season, expects to distribute 4,300 trees (potentially 5,300 if Arbor Day Foundation funding comes through), and is seeking $15,000 in local fundraising to match a donor grant for a new watering truck.
Isabelle, executive director of the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees, told the Wilmington Tree Commission that the Alliance has distributed trees at multiple sites this season and is planning a much larger program if pending support from the Arbor Day Foundation is confirmed.
"In total, at least at this count, we will be distributing 4,300 trees this season... If that comes through, we will distribute, 5,300 trees this year, which I'm really pretty jazzed about," Isabelle said.
She described recent distributions and plantings: roughly 800 trees at Leland, over 1,000 at Legion Stadium, a distribution and planting effort tied to DC Virgo Preparatory Academy (51 trees planted at the school this weekend), and an upcoming Regalwood giveaway of 1,015 trees funded by the Duke Energy Foundation.
Isabelle said the Alliance adjusted distribution strategy this year to prioritize Northside residents and families with children at neighborhood schools and community organizations, rather than it being dominated by residents driving in from elsewhere.
The Alliance also said it has a donor and a potential match grant for a watering truck: a foundation pledged $15,000 if the Alliance can raise a matching $15,000 locally. "We have, a sponsor or a foundation gave us a match grant, so they will give us $15,000 towards a watering truck if we can provide $15,000 from our own fundraising," Isabelle said.
Commission members praised the Alliance's efforts. The group discussed coordinating future outreach and events, including Arbor Day plantings (targeted March/April dates), Earth Day volunteer staffing and giveaways, and combining presentation materials for business and civic audiences.
Hailey (city staff) confirmed the commission's tree lists and educational materials have been updated for web accessibility, and members volunteered to work on presentation slides for business engagement.
The Alliance noted it held targeted giveaways and plantings at schools and neighborhood locations (Glow Academy, DC Virgo, Dreams, Olsen, Portia Hines, and North Side schools and parks) and plans further plantings with city partners. Several members suggested reviving pop-up events such as "parking day" to showcase green infrastructure in downtown spaces.
The commission agreed to coordinate outreach to business groups together with the Alliance to avoid duplicating efforts, and to collect volunteer sign-ups for upcoming events by email.
