On Sunday, November 22, 2020, more than 30 WeLoveU Foundation volunteers participated in a tree maintenance project in Charlotte, North Carolina. They displayed their commitment to a Clean WORLD by contributing to the conservation of soil. The WeLoveU Foundation partnered with the Mecklenburg Storm Water Services Land and Environmental Services Agency for the activity.

Safety First!

The volunteers had an early start. Traveling from different areas in the Carolinas, they met at Chantilly Park at 10:30 a.m. They joined forces with Ken Friday from Mecklenburg Storm Water Services, who met the group to deliver the orientation and guidelines for proper tree care.

The WeLoveU Foundation implemented a check-in procedure to ensure a safe and fun experience. Before starting the activity, participants stopped by the registration table to receive hand sanitizer, a pair of gloves and a mask if they didn’t have one. WeLoveU informed all volunteers of The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines for outdoor gatherings, performed temperature checks and maintained social distancing throughout the day.

The Situation at Hand

Weeks before the tree maintenance project, a flood tore through Charlotte. The downpour stressed weakened trees and encouraged weed growth. The volunteers found the trees in Chantilly Park in different conditions. For instance, many trees began bending from the extreme moisture. To help them grow straight, volunteers secured them in protective tubing with supportive stakes.

Debris, swept in by the heavy rain, and weeds covered other trees. The volunteers picked up the trash and placed weed mats to prevent weeds from advancing. The mats block weeds from receiving sunlight, thereby killing them. Now, the 270 trees at Chantilly Park have a greater chance of survival. WeLoveU’s event partner said the trees would have likely died if volunteers did not take part when they did.

Last year, 50 WeLoveU volunteers performed tree maintenance on over 200 trees in Myers Park in Charlotte, NC. Read how trees benefit the environment from last year’s activity.

A Token of Appreciation

The efforts of the WeLoveU Foundation volunteers did not go unnoticed. City Council At Large Dimple Ajmera delivered a letter of appreciation to them, saying, “Our city is a better place because of the work you do.” During these times, the WeLoveU Foundation and its volunteers continue to show ways to care for the planet.