Local conservation nonprofit Natural Lands led a remarkable year for reforestation efforts in Chester County, writes staff for Chester County Press.
In 2025, the organization planted 22,500 trees across multiple Chester County preserves. Volunteers and group members planted maple trees, flowering dogwoods, sycamores, and many more seedlings.
The reforestation efforts took place in various Natural Lands preserves, including Stroud Preserve in West Chester, Peacedale Preserve in Landenberg, and ChesLen Preserve in Coatesville.
Funds for the reforestation efforts come from the Commissioners of Chester County, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and the United States Department of Agriculture, among other community partners.
All seedlings were native species planted to improve soil health and water quality. Natural Lands vice president of stewardship Gary Gimbert shared that as the seedlings grow, their roots allow water to seep further into the ground. This reduces risks of flooding and erosion.
The commitment from Natural Lands comes after centuries of clearing forests for farmland and timber. In their promise to re-establish Pennsylvania’s thriving forests, the organization’s recent plantings will also help purify groundwater, reduce carbon to clean the air, and support local insects and wildlife.
Read more about Natural Lands and the nonprofit’s impact in 2025 Chester County Press.
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