THE LEAFLET

For nearly a decade, Casey Trees has been honored to work alongside Mount Olivet Cemetery, transforming this historic landscape in Washington, DC, into a haven of greenery and tranquility. Since our partnership began in 2015, we’ve added over 1,000 trees to the cemetery’s grounds, a remarkable milestone for both organizations. As of today, a total of 1,029 trees stand tall here, casting shade over hills that offer breathtaking views of the nation’s capital and enriching the area’s beauty and ecological health.

This massive milestone of 1,000+ trees started with collaboration between the Maryland and D.C. Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington designing green infrastructure projects aimed at capturing stormwater runoff. TNC has not only partnered with Casey Trees to plant on cemetery grounds, but has also replaced impervious surfaces and installed water-retaining green infrastructure such as grass, flower beds, and shrubs. Collectively, these projects have prevented millions of gallons of polluted stormwater from flowing into the Anacostia River.

Perched on a historic hill, Mount Olivet is more than just a final resting place. As the largest Catholic cemetery in DC, it serves as a sanctuary for visitors, offering a place for reflection amid lush trees that line its pathways and grace its open spaces. Over the years, our partnership has allowed us to deepen our engagement with the cemetery’s grounds and the community. Together, we have hosted numerous events, from tree cares and community tree plantings to engaging tree walks that showcase the area’s remarkable canopy and natural beauty.

In recognition of their commitment to green spaces, Mount Olivet Cemetery received the Gold Leaf Award from the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) Mid-Atlantic Chapter in 2020. This honor celebrates outstanding landscape beautification activities, and with its thriving tree population and beautiful grounds, the cemetery is on track to become a nationally registered arboretum.

When we returned to in-person events after the COVID-19 hiatus, one of our first gatherings was a tree care event at Mount Olivet. This event was especially meaningful, marking both a return to our mission in the field and a celebration of reconnecting with our community. Volunteers and staff came together to nurture the trees we had planted in previous years, a symbol of resilience and renewal after a challenging time. This Tree Care event at Mount Olivet was not only a chance to tend to the landscape but also a moment to reflect on our partnership’s impact and our collective commitment to fostering green spaces in DC.

In 2023, this partnership reached an exciting new milestone when Cheryl Tyiska, the dedicated former Cemetery Manager at Mount Olivet, was honored with our prestigious Canopy Award for Sustainability. Her dedication to sustainability aligned perfectly with Casey Trees’ mission, making her a natural partner in our shared journey to preserve and grow DC’s tree canopy.

With every tree we plant and every event we host, our bond with Mount Olivet Cemetery grows stronger. These trees represent more than a dedication to the environment; they symbolize the lasting legacy of our shared commitment to creating a greener future in Washington, DC. From photos spanning years of hard work to the canopy that now graces the cemetery’s landscape, each moment captures the dedication and vision that define this partnership.

Planting this year at Mt. Olivet Cemetery is especially impactful, as this space is not only hallowed ground for some, but the space serves as a public green space for all. Many people in the surrounding community visit to learn its history, walk their dogs, or simply take a walk and be among nature and trees. We are excited to partner again this year with TD Bank and TD Tree Days. TD Bank has been a consistent and strong partner in helping re-tree DC, sponsoring projects like this one each year, adding a variety of tree species to areas all across the city to grow the tree canopy. These trees will provide shade, environmental benefits, human health benefits, and beauty for decades to come.

As we look forward to the future, we remain grateful for this ongoing collaboration with Mount Olivet Cemetery. Together, we’ll continue to honor and protect this historic space, ensuring that its legacy—and its trees—flourish for generations to come. Please enjoy some snapshots of Mount Olivet throughout the years!