THE LEAFLET

The Thanksgiving season is a time to reflect on the previous year with gratitude, for the things we’ve accomplished, the friends who helped and supported us along the way, and specifically for Casey Trees – gratitude for having a team that is all around dedicated to restoring DC’s urban canopy.  

This year, we’ve had the pleasure of adding just over 20 new faces to the Casey Trees family. From all different places and backgrounds, the common denominator among us is our love and passion for the environment. As our team grows, we’re able to work together and do more for DC through all our avenues – including teaching at more schools, supporting more policies, and getting people more trees!  

We’ve even made some great friends this year! Stop into ANXO/Brightwood Pizza any time before the end of the year and get yourself a ‘Happy Trees’ cider and ANXO will donate .40 cents to Casey Trees, as a reminder of our 40% tree canopy goal.  

We’re also grateful for the successful return of our public events this year, working safely with over 3,642 humans in 2022 – with a few more weeks to go! So far, we’ve offered 42 different opportunities for people to get outside and get involved with trees. Overall, we have had over 180 events total from youth programs to social meet ups, to care events!  With plantings, tree care, advocacy classes, identification walks, and MORE – we try our best to provide something that everyone will enjoy.  

We even had the honor of being given the 2022 Outstanding Programmatic Partner Award from DC’s Department of Parks and Recreation. This means so much to all of us at Casey Trees – we love our Districts beautiful parks and greenspaces, and we love doing everything we can to enhance these spaces, keeping them cool and comfortable for the many generations of DC residents to come.  

Lastly, we’d like to announce superlatives for some of the finest moments at our Community Tree Plantings this last year!  

MOST TREES  

We planted 61 trees at Trinidad Recreation Center in Ward 5, landing this CTP in the number 1 spot. An honorable mention to the Washington Spirit who planted 60 trees with us this past weekend, we make a great team! 

MOST VOLUNTEERS  

The biggest CTP we had this year was our tree planting at Savannah Apartments from the National Housing Trust. We’re so honored that 47 of our wonderful, dedicated, volunteers came out to help us create a shady sanctuary for the people that live there. 

VOLUNTEER SHOUTOUT 

Huge shoutout to our celebrated volunteer, Gregg Serenbetz, who attended 15 of our events this last year – WOW! Thanks Gregg for all you do, you’re a tree-planting superstar! 

IMPACT

Something we are most proud of is our impact in our Prioritized Impact Wards. In the past two years Casey Tress has been prioritizing Wards 5, 7, and 8. These wards represent the largest canopy gap, with the largest planting areas still available. These wards also have high populations of people of color, as well as the largest socioeconomic gap – with average income, employment, and education levels falling below average for the city. We have been focusing efforts on planting in Wards 5, 7, and 8 and are proud to announce that 58% of our trees planted this year were planted in these target zones. 

Additionally, 66% percent of our 180 events held were in these wards!

Also, consider donating to Casey Trees to help us Restore, Enhance and Protect D.C.’s Tree Canopy! Casey Trees relies on the support of friends, neighbors, and volunteers like you to make our work possible.   

Or, become a Casey Trees Member today and receive some incredible perks and benefits – all while doing your part to help build a greener place to live for us all.   

And of course, from our family to yours – Happy Thanksgiving!