After Hurricane Isaias slammed the Panhandle last month, it took countless trees in the area.
Two local nonprofits are working to assess and help restore the tree canopy.
Mary Gutierrez, executive director of Earth Ethics, launched the Panhandle Tree Replacement Project shortly after Isaias.
“A lot of friends were talking about how many trees they lost on the properties, so this is one of the reasons that we decided to start this program,” she said, noting one resident in Milton who lost about 34 trees on their property alone.
The University of West Florida lost more than 1,000 pine, live oak, water oak, hickory, and other tree species.
Right now, the project is working to document tree loss and coordinate planting or replanting efforts in Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa and Walton Counties. Planting would begin next year. Participants fill out a Google form sharing the estimated number of trees lost on the property, what kind of property it is, and what types of trees were lost.
When estimating, participants are encouraged to round up, as Gutierrez said, she’d rather plant more trees than less. You can add your information here or by emailing earthethicsactiona@gmail.com.
LISTEN: EcoMinutes: The Canopy Restoration Project
Gutierrez said she doesn’t expect everyone to know tree species. When it comes to replanting, the focus will be on native species.“(The project) will be just planting native species, and climate-resilient species if possible, as well,” she said.
And while the project stems from the tree canopy loss after Hurricane Isaias, Gutierrez said it would also mitigate the tree loss from development in the area.
“In the panhandle, we are experiencing an extensive amount of growth,” she said. “And with that growth, there's a lot of tree loss, right? We're losing our tree canopy anyway. So, we need to be replanting these trees that we're losing.”
As data comes in, Gutierrez is also looking at the two watersheds in the area, the Pensacola Bay Watershed and Choctawhatchee River and Bay Watershed.
“(Trees) would help improve the overall watershed while improving air quality,” she explained.
Replenishing trees would help restore wildlife habitats and help hold stormwater, Gutierrez added.
Canopy Restoration Project
Last week, the Canopy Restoration Project began planting native trees as part of its yearly planting project.
The organization started in 2022 in response to the tree loss from Hurricane Sally. Though its recent planting projects were planned before Isaias, they come at a good time.
“We're a grassroots nonprofit,” said Chelsea Mahan, co-founder of the Canopy Restoration Project. “Our trees are funded through the city and now the county. We kind of plant trees for the greater good, which means we plant just in front yards, and that's because it provides more walkability, more cooling for the roads, and it provides more beautification and, ups property values.”
All of the trees planted are street trees, planted by volunteers. More than 30 volunteers signed up to help plant 74 trees in the City of Pensacola last weekend, with more opportunities this month. You can sign up to volunteer here.
Since the organization was established, it has planted more than 400 trees in the City of Pensacola and Escambia County. This year, they are planting more than 200 trees — that’s more than in previous years, said Mahan.
“We plant five species,” explained Mahan. “We plant live oaks, sand live oaks, winged elms, red maples, and little gym magnolias, and we try to provide a range of sizes just because we are in an urban setting.”
Participants who opt to have trees planted on their property are asked to sign a two-year commitment to care. The organization provides a watering bucket and a specific watering guide.
“We even mark utility lines and have the arborist come out and check that each location. is planting the right tree in the right place,” said Mahan. “You could see the importance of that, partly with a storm, because there's a lot of trees coming down that weren't necessarily good species put in some spaces. Although, you just never know what's going to happen with storms like this so strong.” While this year’s planting project is full, Mahan encourages people to do their research and plant native trees at their homes.
She suggests reaching out to local extension offices to get advice from the master gardeners.
Learn more about the Canopy Restoration Project here.
