During the April 28^th Earth Day-Arbor Day Festival, the Fairfax County Tree Commission recognized Girl Scout Troop #1867 with the 2011 “Friends of Trees” award.  This award celebrates volunteers who make a committed effort to plant, protect, or preserve trees in our area.

The Girl Scout troop of sixth graders spent approximately two years learning about the environment and working to better it.  For their tree project, they learned about invasive versus native plants, acquired native American Plum and Silky Dogwood seedlings, gained permission to plant them at Dranesville Elementary, and planted and cared for them.  During the same time period, they also demonstrated their enthusiasm for protecting the environment by volunteering for the Potomac River Watershed Cleanup, participating in the Artistic Rain Barrel Program, founding a school “Green Team,” and creating an earth-friendly outdoor study area.

The young girls appreciate the many adults and organizations that supported their project—Troop volunteers Ms. AeRahn Shupp and Mr. Richard Markeloff, Dranesville Elementary Principal Kathryn Manoatl, Fairfax Releaf Executive Director Taylor Beach, and Sully District Tree Commissioner Trish Strat as well as the Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division, Fairfax Releaf, and the Virginia Department of Forestry.  The Girl Scouts are excited to know that their trees will grow to provide clean air, to give animals food and shelter, and to beautify school grounds for years to come.