Nearly 30 girl scouts, parents and friends from Benicia Troop 30433 planted 15 trees and spread yards of mulch at Clocktower Park on January 18th as part of the Tree Promise Project by Girl Scouts of America. This national program began in 2021 with the goal to plant 5 million trees in five years. This is Benicia’s second Tree Promise Project.
Troop Leader Bridget Nestor reached out to Benicia Tree Foundation after learning about Benicia’s first Tree Promise Project at Francesca Terrace Park last November. In addition to completing a Tree Promise Project, each scout has committed to volunteer 20 hours at City parks this year,” said Nestor.
Steven Goetz, Benicia Tree Foundation board member, coordinated with the City of Benicia and Pacific Gas & Electric to schedule the project with the girl scouts. “The City quickly came forward with the Clocktower Park site that needed trees in the parking lot,” said Goetz. “PG&E agreed to donate the trees for the project as part of their Right Tree, Right Place Program,”
During the event, Goetz explained to the volunteers the importance of selecting the right tree and right location when adding trees to the landscape. He described locations in the parking lot where certain trees became maintenance problems or interfered with overhead utilities.
The volunteers planted all trees and placed all mulch by 11:30. “We hope our scouts can complete volunteer projects at other City parks this year so they can earn their Community Service badge, “ said Nestor.
