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Friends group reports 40 trees planted and seeks funds to keep reforesting parks
Summary
The Friends of Highland Village Parks Foundation told the board it has planted 40 trees since 2022, led a 20-tree planting on Nov. 8 with about 35 volunteers, and is planning further work and grant applications to fund reforestation and shade projects.
Dave Rush, chairman of the Friends of Highland Village Parks Foundation, briefed the board on the group's volunteer tree-planting efforts and partnerships with the parks department. Rush said the foundation incorporated in January 2022, has donated and planted dozens of trees (including a 12-tree planting on Briar Hill in 2024), and led a Nov. 8 Arbor Day event that planted about 20 trees with roughly 35 volunteers. The foundation is pursuing grants and community funding to continue reforestation and to help preserve mature specimen trees.
Rush highlighted the group's volunteer base and partnerships — including scouts and local volunteers — and provided a carbon-removal estimate for newly planted mature oaks. "Each 1 removes 48 pounds of carbon per year. And so far we've planted 40 trees, so we're pulling out 2,000 pounds or a ton of carbon," Rush said. He said the group will seek additional funding, work with parks staff on irrigation and maintenance, and install Tree City USA signage for recognition.
