THE LEAFLET

October 7, 2024 /
Christina Hester

Trees Help us Breathe Easy

At Casey Trees, we know that a healthy environment starts with clean air—and that’s why we’re proud to work with Clean Air Partners. This dynamic organization has been making a difference in the DMV by educating residents about how small changes can make a big impact on air quality. By partnering with community members, businesses, and schools, they’re helping to create a future with cleaner, healthier air for all.

Kelsey Sisko, a board member at Clean Air Partners and a Natural Resources Planner in Maryland’s Department of the Environment, shared, “Our work focuses on educating the public about air quality awareness and what you can do as an individual to help better our air quality by making some simple switches or setting long-term goals to reduce pollution.”

Air quality in the DMV region has significantly improved over the years, thanks to the hard work of groups like Clean Air Partners. “Each year is a new success,” Kelsey notes. “Even with challenges like last year’s wildfire smoke, our air is getting cleaner. We have the science and technology to prove it, and we’re seeing great progress.”

Trees play a vital role in this effort. As Kelsey explains, “A lot of people don’t realize that planting trees betters our air quality. They absorb pollutants, release oxygen, and help keep urban neighborhoods cooler, reducing the urban heat island effect.”

Supporting Clean Air Partners means supporting a cleaner future. Here are some simple changes you can make to reduce pollution and improve air quality in your community:

  • Plant More Trees: Get involved with local planting events or plant a tree in your yard. Trees help absorb pollutants and keep neighborhoods cooler.
  • Switch to Electric Lawn Equipment: Gas-powered mowers and blowers contribute to air pollution. Consider switching to electric equipment as a cleaner alternative.
  • Use Public Transportation or Carpool: Cutting down on individual car trips reduces the number of pollutants released into the air. When possible, opt for public transit or share rides with friends and family.
  • Stay Informed: Visit Clean Air Partners’ air quality forecast and learn about the Air Quality Index (AQI) to plan your activities on days with lower pollution levels.

Kelsey emphasizes the importance of community education, especially in schools, where kids learn about air quality and share that knowledge with their families. “We strive to reach everyone, from adults to kids, because informed residents make a big difference,” she shares. “After recent wildfire events, we’ve seen more people interested in learning about air quality and how they can help.”

Clean Air Partners recently sponsored our first planting of the fall season at Huntwood Courts, where volunteers helped plant trees to improve air quality and beautify the community. The event was a huge success, and we couldn’t have done it without their support! If you missed out, don’t worry—there are still plenty of opportunities to join us outside this fall.

Next up, we’ll be planting trees at Hamilton Manor, another event generously sponsored by Clean Air Partners. It’s a chance to get your hands dirty, make a positive impact on the environment, and connect with fellow tree lovers.

Interested in learning more about Clean Air Partners and how you can support their work? Click here to explore their resources, find events, and learn how you can make a difference. As Kelsey says, “The future for the DMV is cleaner air—cleaner than today is on the horizon, and everyone’s effort counts.”

Join us, Clean Air Partners, and the rest of our community in taking action for a healthier, greener future. Together, we can breathe easier! Enjoy some snap shots from our planting at Huntwood Courts.