Fund will bring 20,000 trees to Houston

I was jealous when one of the folks over at GardenWeb was getting ready to plant 600 seedlings. But that effort pales in comparison to the planting of 20,000 trees in Houston. I wish I could be there!

You can help plant 20,000 trees along Will Clayton Parkway on Saturday in what organizers say is the largest volunteer tree-planting in Houston's history. "It's going to be a big deal. Really, it's going to be a party," said Gary Woods with Trees for Houston, a nonprofit organization that promotes protection and planting of trees. Saturday's event is part of the Houston Area Freeway and Forestation Project sponsored by U.S. Rep. Ted Poe, R-Humble. In 2006, Poe obtained $28.5 million in funding for beautification, erosion prevention and flood-control programs in the Houston area. That funding will bear fruit, or at least put down roots, this weekend as Poe, community leaders, Trees for Houston, the Houston Parks and Recreation Department and the Texas Department of Transportation join forces for the Arbor Day 2007 tree-planting.

Of course, I can't imagine that this push will bring Houston even close to what California has accomplished on its highways. I don't know why California highways are so beautifully landscaped, but it must cost a lot of money and I'm very grateful for it.

Link: Fund will bring 20,000 trees to Houston | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle.