THE LEAFLET

At Casey Trees, we’re thrilled to continue our partnership with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) to bring lasting environmental benefits to the DC Metro area. This fall, we joined forces with WMATA, local volunteers, and elected officials to plant more than 104 native trees at the Suitland Metro station. This collaboration marks just the beginning of a multi-year effort to improve tree canopy coverage at nine Metro stations, all located in underserved communities.

WMATA’s Director of Sustainability, Rachel Healy, giving introductory remarks at the Community Tree Planting.

WMATA’s focus on sustainability aligns closely with our mission to restore, enhance, and protect the tree canopy of the nation’s capital. This shared vision is central to our partnership, as highlighted by Rachel Healy, WMATA’s Director of Sustainability,  “We’re always really excited when we have the opportunity to plant trees at our stations, especially in areas where the investment is really going to make a difference in the community.”

Thanks to funding from the USDA’s Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program, 450 trees will be planted at stations such as Landover, West Hyattsville, and Greenbelt by the end of this two-year project. These trees will offer much more than shade; they’ll enhance air quality, biodiversity, and stormwater management while creating cooler, greener spaces for Metro riders and nearby residents.

The planting effort at Suitland Metro Station unfolded in two phases. The Casey Trees forestry crew began the project by planting 53 native trees, including hollies, pines, and maples. Following this foundational work, the local community joined forces to plant an additional 51 trees, bringing the total to over 100 trees at this station.

As part of Metro’s broader sustainability mission, this partnership highlights the essential role trees play in creating a more sustainable and equitable transit system. Emily Judson, Senior Sustainability Program Coordinator at WMATA, underscored the impact of these projects, “These stations are in communities that really need more shade and the cooling effects of trees, especially as we face increasing heat days in the summer. Planting trees doesn’t just beautify these areas—it directly improves the quality of life for our riders and neighbors.”

WMATA employees stand proud with their newly planted tree.

Trees planted along paths and sidewalks at Suitland and Southern Avenue stations are already making a visible difference. They’re not only enhancing aesthetics but also mitigating the urban heat island effect, improving air quality, and providing shade to metro users.

At Casey Trees, we are incredibly proud to be part of this long-term project. It’s more than planting trees—it’s about reinvesting in communities and ensuring that green spaces are accessible to all. Together with WMATA, we’re not just reaching our tree-planting goals; we’re creating a legacy of sustainability.

As we look ahead, we are eager to see this partnership flourish. With continued collaboration, the 450 trees we plant will be a cornerstone of a greener, healthier, and more equitable transit system for the DC Metro region.

Here’s to growing a greener future—one tree, one station, and one community at a time. Scroll down to enjoy some moments from the community tree planting!