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Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light is giving away hundreds of free trees later this week at ArtsAltoona to people with eligible addresses.
Event organizers said there will be between 250 and 400 native tree saplings available on a first come, first served basis to those who qualify after having their eligibility verified by volunteers. The giveaway will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at ArtsAltoona.
According to Greg Williams, one of the nonprofit organization's volunteers, people interested in checking their address eligibility can visit the organization's map online at https://arcg.is/0yjznS3. Pink areas are eligible for planting, while blue areas are not, Williams said, noting people will be required to use a short reporting tool on site to confirm their planting location.
"Not everybody in Altoona can get a free tree for their ground," Williams said. "It depends on GIS tracking, and they do it by zip codes. Some are OK and some aren't, (but) most of Altoona is."
People who show up will get a free eight-inch pot containing a tree that's a couple years old, Williams said, adding some of them are as tall as four or five feet. There will be several species given away, including serviceberry, black gum, river birch, black birch and a small assortment of oaks, he said, noting they're all native to central Pennsylvania.
Volunteers and staff will be on hand to answer any questions about tree planting and care, Williams said.
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light consists of church groups and people of all faiths who "believe that climate change is real, that science is real and that as people of faith, we should be doing something about protecting it," Williams said.
The organization does a lot of advocating with government agencies, he said.
About 10 years ago, when Williams started working with them, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light had done some habitat restoration -- removing trees that weren't native to the area and planting native trees in their place, he said.
Non-native plants are a "big problem" because native insects can't eat them, Williams said, adding the native insect population has decreased by about 30% in the last 30 years.
As a result of that, the bird population has also decreased, he said.
For several years, the organization worked with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to plant additional native trees, Williams said, stating the foundation had a goal of planting 10 million trees throughout Pennsylvania to improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay.
That goal was reached about a year and a half ago, according to Williams, who said he planted several trees along the Lower Trail and at parks in Huntingdon and State College.
"Trees are one of the best ways to keep the waterways clean because they slow down erosion," Williams said. "The other thing about native trees is that they're the best way to soak up the extra carbon that causes climate change that is raising the temperature of the planet."
Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light then received another grant from the American Forestry Association to distribute additional trees -- including those that will be given away Friday and Saturday, Williams said.
The grant is limited to distributing trees to urban areas that don't have the resources to get trees, hence the need for eligibility requirements, Williams said.
In a statement, Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light Executive Director Katie Ruth said trees have great benefits for the environment, noting they cool neighborhoods, help manage stormwater and improve air quality.
"Across our faiths, identities and experiences, we live in (a) relationship with all beings in complex ecosystems that require our attention, care and tending," Ruth said. "We are excited to be part of the efforts to grow canopy, increase equity and strengthen community alongside our partners in Altoona and throughout the surrounding region."
ArtsAltoona President Donna Gority said she's happy to support the work of Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light by letting them use her organization's facility.
"Trees are so helpful, not just for a visual effect, but for an everyday breathing effect, and we think it's wonderful that they're especially targeting lower-income neighborhoods, or neighborhoods where there are less likely to be trees, as the primary target for distribution," Gority said.
Anyone who's unable to participate in this year's tree giveaway will be able to order from a larger selection of tree species for distribution in 2027, according to a release.
People interested in serving as a volunteer for future tree giveaways and plantings can contact Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light by sending an email to ieva@paipl.org.
Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.
If you go
What: Pennsylvania Interfaith Power and Light's tree giveaway
When: From 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: ArtsAltoona, 2212 Sixth Ave., Altoona
Cost: Tree saplings will be available to those who qualify for free on a first come, first served basis. There will be about 400 trees available, including serviceberry, black gum, river birch, black birch and a small assortment of oaks.
Eligibility: Eligible addresses are shown in the pink areas of the organization's GIS map, which can be found online at https://arcg.is/0yjznS3. Organizers have encouraged interested people to attend and have their eligibility checked at the distribution site. Those who don't qualify will be able to order from a larger selection of trees for distribution in 2027.