The NJ Tree Foundation focused on the Circuit Trail and watershed health as part of our fall tree planting season. Two projects were implemented along the Circuit using funding from the William Penn Foundation. Two additional plantings were conducted along the Circuit, but funding for these trees came from other sources.
On October 13th, nine trees were planted along Carman, Mickle, and N. 28th Streets. This neighborhood sits across from Dudley Grange Park in East Camden. Partial cutouts were completed to make enough room for some of the trees. Residents helped plant the trees and learned about what a difference the trees will make for their neighborhood and community. Overall, the planting was a success!
On November 17th, the NJ Tree Foundation held its final planting of the season. Together with over 60 volunteers, 15 new trees were planted along S 9th and Kaighn Ave for the Kaighn Ave Baptist Church. The sidewalks near the church were wide enough for larger tree pits to make way for the new trees. In addition, 90 small ornamental grasses were planted along the sides of the pit for beautification. The larger tree pits ensure that more storm 
water will be captured and the trees will help to absorb and filter the storm water, allowing it to sink back into the ground rather than make its way untreated into our rivers and streams.
Reverend William Heard, Pastor for the Kaighn Ave Baptist Church, had this to say about working on the project: “ What a powerful expression of community collaboration & inter-generational interfaith cooperation…representing organizations from all over the city and different parts of NJ to support this effort…we are pleased to partner with the NJ Tree Foundation to beautify the area where our “light” shines on the corner of Kaighn & 9th Street. The planning and visualizing of sundry types of trees and possibilities culminated in the amalgamation of a diverse group of workers…to realize a better, bolder, and more beautiful Camden. Special thanks to the NJ Tree Foundation for your decades of diligent work, your visionary leader Lisa Simms, and all of the awesome volunteers!”
Two additional plantings happened along the Circuit through other grants. The first happened on November 3rd, at Dudley Grange Park. NJ Tree Foundation and volunteers added 20 new trees along the back end of the park at Rosedale Ave. These trees will help to shade the park and the Circuit.
The second planting was held on November 10th, at the community lot located along N. 3rd & Erie Streets. This planting was organized in partnership with the Camden Block Supporters and Camden Lutheran Housing. Volunteers planted 10 new trees along N. 3rd, Erie, and Byron Streets. The trees will flower in the spring, which will add to the restored lot’s beauty!
The NJ Tree Foundation has focused on increasing awareness of watershed health in addition to planting trees along the Circuit this fall. Last season, the NJ Tree Foundation conducted a short survey after community plantings to gauge if volunteers’ awareness of the Circuit Trail was increased after attending one of our events. About 80% saw an increase of awareness about the Circuit after participating in a tree planting. The NJ Tree Foundation worked with Devine & Partners over the summer to edit the survey to include questions about watershed heath and CSOs, or Combined Sewer Outfalls. NJ Tree Foundation developed an informative poster detailing how trees treat storm water and work alongside green infrastructure practices to reduce the negative impact of CSOs. Volunteers learned about how they were making a difference not only for the Circuit Trail, but for the greater watershed. We collected survey results from each planting and will be putting them together over the course of the winter.
The NJ Tree Foundation thanks all its partners and volunteers, both on and off the Circuit, for a great planting season this fall. See you #OnTheCircuit in the spring!