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Gallows Run Tree Squad Recognized by Youth Venture and Dr. Seuss Enterprises as National Grand Prize Winners of Lorax Challenge

Tree Squad member Julia Brokaw transplanting baby oak trees

The Gallows Run Watershed Association "Tree Squad, " comprised of six Palisades High School students, was one of 53 teams of young people from across the country recognized by Youth Venture and Dr. Seuss Enterprises in collaboration with Earth Island Institute for their outstanding sustainable ventures to address pressing environmental issues. The student teams, composed of youth ages 13 to 20 were notified of receiving the "Youth Venture Lorax Challenge" award on July 31, 2008.

Based on the well-known Dr. Seuss character the Lorax, The Youth Venture Lorax Challenge awarded each of the 53 winning teams start-up grants of up to $1,000 to launch their ventures. The winning teams addressed a wide range of topics, from developing a sustainable water supply to installing energy efficient software on school computers. Youth Venture® leads an international community of young people who create and launch their own sustainable, community-benefiting ventures. Youth Venture currently operates in 14 countries and online at www.genv.net.

Five of the teams, including the Gallows Run Tree Squad, were also named Grand Prize Winners. Two members from each Grand Prize winning team received an all-expense paid trip to the University of Florida in Gainesville to attend an environmental entrepreneurship boot camp through the UF Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation from August 1st through August 4th. The two members of the Gallows Run Tree Squad who traveled to Florida were Palisades High School Junior, Julia Brokaw and Sophomore, Andrew Hollenbach. "After going to boot camp I have the urge to try and solve all the environmental problems we have here in Bucks County," said Andrew. "It was a very motivating experience."

The Gallows Run Tree Squad's 1,000 Trees Project was launched to encourage the entire community to plant 1,000 native trees (or more) throughout the Palisades School District. The "Tree Squad" started this initiative by potting and distributing small saplings donated to the team by Heritage Conservancy. The squad expanded its efforts by growing over 150 young trees from acorns and hickory nuts. They began to distribute the trees at area community days and to participants in the June 9th Gallows Run Watershed stream clean-up. The team wants to show the community that they can do something to combat global warming and increase the number of trees to replace those that have been lost due to deer overgrazing, flooding and developments.

Tree Squad members from left to right: Andrew Hollenbach, Julia Brokaw, and Rebecca Hollenbach

"Young, healthy trees take large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) out of the air and convert it into wood and leaves. This is call "sequestering." CO2 is a greenhouse gas and is believed to be responsible for global climate change. By helping to plant as many trees as possible the Tree Squad is hoping to get the Palisades community doing what it can to help the planet and reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. We created an overlay of the planting locations for Google Map and linked it to our website so everyone can see the progress we are making," explained Julia Brokaw, a member of the squad. "This is a long term and open-ended initiative and all students, families and residents are encouraged to participate", she added. If you are a resident of the Palisades School District, you can obtain saplings by contacting the Tree Squad at The.Tree.Squad@gmail.com.

The Gallows Run watershed is located in Nockamixon, Springfield and Durham Townships in Northern Bucks County, in Southeastern Pennsylvania. The 8.87 square mile watershed is among one of the most scenic and economically important areas in the region.

The Gallows Run Watershed Association (GRWA) was initially formed in 2001 and has successfully completed a variety of projects, planning, policy, and outreach efforts. Heritage Conservancy has been working with GRWA on several projects including a Gallows Run Recreational Access Feasibility Study to provide a recreational link from the mouth of the Gallows Run along the Delaware to the village of Kintnersville. The Conservancy is also currently assisting Nockamixon Township and GRWA with land preservation efforts in the watershed. Visit www.grwabucks.org for additional information.

View a YouTube video on how to plant a tree seedling:

This video was filmed at the Heritage Conservancy in Doylestown PA.