WILMINGTON — In a partnership between the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and Cape Fear Garden Club, there will be a tree-planting taking place at an area girls’ school the first full weekend in February.
On Saturday, Feb. 7, 11 a.m., the alliance and garden club will plant 65 trees at the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington at 4100 Sunglow Dr. Trees planted will include native oaks, tulip poplar, hornbeam, and serviceberry.
READ MORE: Wilmington moving forward with 400+ tree-planting despite stacked odds
Greener schools are linked to stronger academic outcomes, according ACFT, which indicated more tree canopy will help children perform better in their studies and improve mental fatigue.
Just in fall 2025 and winter 2026 the Alliance for Cape Fear Trees has added 40 to 50 trees at D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy and 20 to 30 trees at DREAMS of Wilmington arts center. The alliance also planted 75 street trees in the Northside neighborhood and 50 trees at Portia Hines and Olsen parks.
“We believe that every student deserves to grow under the protection and beauty of shade,” ACFT Director Isabelle Shepherd said in a release. “By increasing access to tree canopy and green space, we’re directly investing in the well-being and success of the students at GLOW.”
GLOW Academy is an all-female charter school, providing a high-quality education to students from historically under-served communities.
“The addition of 65 trees will make a meaningful difference for our teachers, students, and guests, and we’re grateful to ACFT and CFGC for partnering with us to create a healthier, more beautiful learning environment,” Jen Wilson-Mathis, director of admissions and community outreach at Beacon Education which oversees GLOW, said in a release.
The Cape Fear Garden Club (CFGC) helps fund grants across New Hanover County to enhance beautification, conservation, and environmental education. It contributed $5,000, as raised in part from its 2025 Azalea Garden Tour, to see through the GLOW tree-planting initiative.
“Trees are very important to any landscape and will make a huge impact on this beautiful campus for years to come,” Signa Stalvey of Cape Fear Garden Club said in a release.
Anyone who wants to volunteer with the alliance can email volunteer@acftrees.org.
At Port City Daily, we aim to keep locals informed on top-of-mind news facing the tri-county region. To support our work and help us reach more people in 2026, please, consider helping one of two ways: Subscribe here or make a one-time contribution here.
We appreciate your ongoing support.
