For the second consecutive year, FirstEnergy Corp. has donated 500 trees to the City of Rittman’s William T. Robertson Nature Preserve in Wayne County, Ohio. A variety of hardwood trees were planted on May 6 by employees of FirstEnergy and its Ohio Edison electric company throughout the 210-acre nature preserve to supplement the 520 trees donated and planted by FirstEnergy in October 2021.
Since April 2021, FirstEnergy has donated and planted more than 17,000 trees throughout its five-state service territory. The company is on track to plant more than 14,000 additional trees this spring. This initiative is an important part of the company’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint, promote responsible use of natural resources and further the advancement of sustainable practices.
Led by FirstEnergy’s Green Team in northeast Ohio, the tree-planting event in Rittman is one of several projects employees will complete this year to help nearby parks, nature preserves and communities across FirstEnergy’s entire footprint.
“FirstEnergy contributed the funds to cover the cost of the trees, and more than a dozen employee volunteers spent several hours planting them around the nature preserve, which will be enjoyed by the public and many of our local employees and their families,” said Carol Trembly, a senior scientist and Green Team leader at FirstEnergy.
FirstEnergy’s 10 Green Teams consist of employees from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and West Virginia who volunteer their time and talents to support a wide variety of environmental initiatives. The groups plan to continue to partner with state park systems, watershed and recycling groups, garden clubs, schools and other environmentally focused organizations in the future to support FirstEnergy’s commitment to building a brighter and more sustainable future.
The William T. Robertson Nature Preserve, which opened to the public last fall, is situated on the east side of Rittman on property left vacant by a large industrial business in 2006. The preserve provides the community with 7.2 miles of walking and hiking trails as well as opportunities for bird watching and kayaking.