Williamson Helps To ReLeaf MoCo

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

Montgomery County 4-H’er Hartley Williamson recently distributed over 200 trees to Montgomery County citizens in an effort to help replant those lost in the Hurricane Helene destruction.

“On September 28, 2024, many in Georgia woke up to destruction. Electricity and communication lines down, roads blocked, and many structures and land damaged or destroyed. We are a year later and still seeing the results of those damages as trees are being cleaned up, removed, continued from page

and burned,” Williamson emphasized. “Hurricane Helene changed our landscape with the number of trees that fell or were damaged – it is not the same. But what are other impacts we are experiencing from the loss of trees besides the changing of our landscape? The loss of trees means that we have lost an essential part of our environment.”

She continued, as she outlined several ways that trees are vital to the environment and community. “Trees are important in our surroundings. They help by cleaning our air, absorbing odors, filtering out particulates, and releasing oxygen into our atmosphere. Trees also help us conserve electricity by regulating temperature through shading andtranspiration. They can reduce the temperature around us by as much as 15 degrees. Thoughtful placing of trees around our homes can also reduce heating and cooling, which help us save on electricity costs,” she remarked.

Williamson continued, “Trees’ roots and canopies slow rainfall, which helps reduce run-off and erosion and allows rainfall to be absorbed slowly into the ground. If trees are mulched, the mulch acts like a sponge that absorbs and holds onto water. Trees also help reduce noise by providing a buffer from cars, machinery, and other people. They provide food for humans but also for wildlife, as well as a habitat and nesting sites for animals. Trees also can be a source of income from wood, fruits or nuts. They increase property value by making property more attractive and enjoyable for relaxation and recreation.”

Using this knowledge of the importance of trees, Williamson sought ways that she could help her community to replant this lost foliage. “I knew I wanted to do a [Georgia 4-H] Leadership in Action project again. We were researching a lot of ideas of what to do for the project, then we came across the ReLeaf Grant,” Williamson remarked.

The ReLeaf Grant is a grant given by the Georgia Tree Council and Georgia Forestry Commission in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service. This program makes funding available to municipalities, government agencies, nonprofits and educational institutions in Georgia for tree planting and tree-giveaway projects.

Williamson applied for the grant during the summer and learned that she had been awarded over $9,000 to fund a tree giveaway to the citizens of Montgomery County.

Once learning she had earned the grant, Williamson worked to create an online form where citizens could sign up to receive a free tree to plant on their property within the county. Throughout the month of December, several citizens took advantage of the opportunity, adding their names to the list to help replant trees within the county.

On Thursday, January 15, Williamson, Montgomery County 4-H Adult Volunteer Joyce Allen, Montgomery County Agriculture and Natural Resources/4-H Youth Development Agent Lauren Stanley, and Montgomery County High School agriculture students and teachers worked to give out trees, bags of mulch, a water ring, and educational materials about the trees to registered recipients.

“With these projects, you have to do something that involves your community, and make sure that it’s educational. We’re doing that now by giving out information on native tree species and forestry in Georgia,” Williamson explained.

Williamson said that the day brought a steady flow of citizens through the giveaway, as she distributed over 200 trees within the community. “It’s been amazing to be able to meet so many people in the community and help them. They are all so supportive and I want to give back to them, so this is one way I can do that,” she emphasized. “Also, doing a tree replanting leadership project is really cool – it’s planting an impact that will last for a long time and continue to grow.”

She shared her gratitude to several individuals in the community that had helped and supported her along the way, including Allen, Stanley, Montgomery County Middle School Agriculture Teacher Nicole Smith, Montgomery County Development Authority Executive Director Michael Stanley, Montgomery County 4-H Program Assistant Julie Waller, and Montgomery County 4-H Administrative Assistant Leanna Connell.

Williamson will report her findings to Georgia 4-H in the coming weeks, as she continues to complete her project’s report.

PROVIDING MULCH – Along with a free tree, Montgomery County citizens also received a free bag of mulch to help plant their tree during the ReLeaf Grant Tree Giveaway.Photo by Makaylee Randolph

INFORMING THE PUBLIC – Throughout November and December, Montgomery County 4-H’er Hartley Williamson worked to speak at meetings and events to inform citizens and officials of the opportunity to receive a free tree.Photo by Makaylee Randolph