WILMINGTON — The Alliance for Cape Fear Trees and the New Hanover County Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Association are joining forces on March 1 to bring shade, beauty, and environmental benefits to the grounds of DREAMS Center for Arts Education.
As part of the alliance’s efforts this planting season to bring trees to Wilmington’s Northside
neighborhood, this partnership will plant 30 native trees at no cost to the educational facility. Trees to be planted include Yaupon hollies, flowering dogwoods, and eastern redbuds. Persimmons, serviceberries, and a red mulberry tree will also be added to bring more fresh fruit to the student’s garden area.
“Alliance for Cape Fear Trees has been a valuable community resource since its inception,” Betsy Bilger, chair of the New Hanover County Extension Master Gardeners Volunteer Association’s grants committee, said in a press release. “We are proud to help fund the purchase of trees to be planted for this effort as well as earlier plantings. Endeavors like this fulfill the mission of the New Hanover County EMGVA grants committee, which is ‘…to connect people to horticulture through research-based education and outreach.’
DREAMS Center for Arts Education is located in Wilmington’s historic Northside, a community identified as both a food desert and a disadvantaged census tract by federal metrics. The grounds currently lack meaningful tree cover, leaving students, instructors, and families exposed to the full force of the sun during outdoor learning and play.
“Trees can be a game-changer for students’ wellbeing and success,” Shepherd said in the release.“By planting here, we’re investing in both young minds and the future of Wilmington’s urban canopy.”
Established in 1997, DREAMS of Wilmington is a youth development organization that is dedicated to creating a culture of confidence for youth and teens through equitable access to arts education.
“The growth of this pocket of native biodiversity will be reflected in the DREAMers who will grow, learn, and rest in its shade, only getting stronger and more rooted with time,” says Jaya Kandasamy, director of youth development, said in the release. “DREAMS is so grateful to receive this generous gift and become the stewards of a slice of nature for all in our community to enjoy.”
This initiative is part of the Alliance’s broader planting efforts this fall and winter season, including 75 street trees in the Northside neighborhood, 65 trees at Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington, 50 trees at D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, 25 trees at Portia Hines Park, and 25 trees at Olsen Park.
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