The best time to plant a tree was years ago. The second-best time? Now.

Thanks to a community-wide partnership, Charles County is a little greener—and future generations will enjoy the benefits for decades to come.

 This spring, the Resilience Authority of Charles County partnered with Charles County Public Schools to plant 33 trees alongside students from Indian Head Elementary School and Glymont Middle School.

More than just a planting project, it was a hands-on lesson in environmental stewardship. Students learned about native tree species while helping improve local green spaces, creating cleaner air, healthier habitats, and a more resilient community.

The effort didn't stop there.

With support from the Town of Indian Head and service members from the U.S. Marine Corps Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, volunteers planted 30 additional trees at Mattingly Park and Simmons Park.

Those young trees may be small today, but they'll grow into lasting community assets—providing shade on sunny afternoons, cleaner air, homes for wildlife, and beautiful spaces where families can gather for years to come.

It's a wonderful reminder that protecting our environment isn't something one organization does alone. It happens when schools, local governments, community partners, volunteers, and residents all work together toward a common goal.

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CHARLES COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS | ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES DIVISION

10430 Audie Lane, La Plata, MD 20646 • 301-932-5656 (MD Relay 7-1-1)