This Earth Day, a group of volunteers from the Maryland Department of the Environment, along with Inward Discovery and Tree Baltimore, embarked on a united effort at Druid Park for a day of planting trees. The group set out with shovels in hand, in a bid to Mother Earth and their city, planted many trees, cleared invasive species, and brought back one of Baltimore’s beloved natural marvels to its flawless and pristine roots, no pun intended.According to organizers, the event’s turnout was greater than expected, and it was largely a success due to the commendable efforts of the participants.

Established in 1860, Druid Hill Park remains one of the oldest landscaped public parks in the United States and, as such, is etched into Baltimorean history as a special natural landmark. Besides its beautiful landscape, Druid Hill plays a crucial role in the city’s ecological system. Subsequently, its preservation and restoration are pivotal to the biodiversity of Baltimore, as it is home to hundreds of plants and animals. Thus, the community’s effort in environmental initiatives such as the one at Druid Park is instrumental in ensuring that many of the city’s natural treasures are not lost.

Many of the individuals who participated expressed fulfillment with their efforts in the tree planting initiative and are content with their efforts in giving back to the city, which many of them have called home. Overall, the team was able to cover 2,500 sq ft of land consisting of invasive plant species and rounded up a whopping 200 pounds of trash. Volunteers were able to plant over 75 trees, many of which are native to the Druid Hill flora system, such as white oaks, red maples, and eastern redbuds. Despite seemingly minuscule, these young trees will help sequester 100,000 pounds of carbon dioxide throughout their lifetime, providing cleaner air and shade for generations to come.

As the day wrapped up, the message was clear: small acts of service, when multiplied by a community, can have a lasting impact. The event serves as a reminder that even the smallest acts can breathe life into our shared environment. Druid Hill Park, with its winding trails and towering oaks serves not just as a natural refuge but now also represents the power of collective action. With every tree planted, piece of trash removed and invasive weed pulled, a promise was made to the future generations of Baltimore. A pledge was made to leave the world a little greener than how they found it. May the actions of those that turned out be remembered and also may they be commended for shaping the landscapes of tomorrow.

Here’s to a greener Baltimore, one tree, one act of service at a time!