Residents can donate to the Keystone Tree Fund to support streamside buffering and urban tree planting for flood mitigation, climate resilience and improvements to water and air quality.

Cindy Adams Dunn, the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources secretary, announced on Wednesday that planting trees along streams and creeks is a natural solution to many issues.

A news release from Dunn said trees are one of the most cost-effective tools for improving local water quality, and that streamside tree and shrub plantings filter the runoff of pollutants from the land, control erosion, slow down runoff during heavy rains, provide privacy and shade, cool stream temperatures and improve fish and pollinator habitats.

Direct donations that will support the existing TreeVitalize and Riparian Forest Buffer programs can be made out to DCNR c/o Keystone Tree Fund and mailed to PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry, Attn: Rural Community Forestry, 400 Market St., 6th floor, Harrisburg, PA 17105.