Spring has sprung and it’s time to get outside! You may be busy sprucing up your lawn, planning garden beds, or—for apartment dwellers—filling the windowsill with plants. All of which is wonderful, but perhaps you’d like to contribute to something larger. Well, PHS has some great news. As a part of our April Earth Month celebration, we have tons of volunteer events that would benefit from your participation.

If you want to better your neighborhood (or someone else’s, if you’re really nice), plant street trees with PHS Tree Tenders. Throughout April you can be a part of bare-root plantings that will be counted as part of Plant One Million. Beyond that, these street trees increase canopy, create animal habitats, beautify streetscapes, and reduce heat island effect—I mean, asphalt is hot; so plant some trees people! Find a local planting volunteer event here.

PHS also has a way to go green while supporting your favorite team! Yes, the Phillies’ Red Goes Green campaign to encourage environmental awareness will again partner with PHS and Plant One Million for the 2013 season. On April 14, from 11 am to 1 pm at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies will be giving out free trees in cooperation with Philadelphia Parks and Recreation’s TreePhilly. If you’d like a tree for your yard, you must register in advance. Basic tree-care instruction will be given on site, and helpful info and videos are all over the PHS website.

PHS is also starting three new classes of the popular PHS Tree Tenders. These classes teach tree biology, Tree ID, urban stresses, and tips for starting or joining a planting group. Classes start in Montgomery County on April 9, in Chester County on April 18, and in Philadelphia on May 8. Click here to register—we can’t wait to see you there!

Make your Earth Month a happy, productive one by getting involved with PHS and trees!

— by Marquita Heard