Working together to ensure the future of the Reading Town Forest

As you may be aware, the red pine trees within the Reading Town Forest are dying. As trees native to colder climates, the red pines are falling victim to increased temperatures. As they die off, they pose a risk to those walking or camping within the forest as well as a risk of forest fire.

Starting in 2020, the Town Forest Committee took action. Tree companies were hired to remove the red pines and to date nine areas have had a significant number of trees removed based on the threat they posed to the public. Other trees will need to be removed as the red pines make up a significant portion of the trees in the Town Forest.

This has left areas of the forest bare and susceptible to the growth of invasive plants. Two Eagle Scout projects have addressed the area around the old Council Ring. They have made a dent. A lot more needs to be done.

Following a discussion between the Reading Town Forest Committee and Friends of Reading Scouting, a decision was made to raise funds to buy seedlings and saplings at a scale large enough to have an impact.

This was the genesis of TREES FOR READING.

As a 501(c)3, Friends of Reading Scouting has created a dedicated Trees for Reading fund that will be directed by the Town Forest Committee and the Trees for Reading Steering Committee. Friends of Reading Scouting has made an initial donation of $500 with another $500 possible based on matching donations.

How to Help

There are severals ways that you can help us grow the Town Forest!

Donate

Scan the QR code or click here to donate via PayPal. You can also mail a check payable to Friends of Reading Scouting to 746 Pearl Street, Reading, MA 01867. Please note Trees for Reading in the memo line.

All donations are tax deductible, Friends of Reading Scouting’s Identification Number is 87-3550168. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to all Sponsors and donors of at least $100.

Sponsor

Join us as a Sponsor for Trees for Reading!

Level	Benefits	One-Time Donation
Silver	Acknowledgement on Trees for Reading web page and Facebook page	$100
Gold	Silver benefits, plus…Logo on Trees for Reading web page and Facebook page	$250
Platinum	Gold benefits, plus…Logo on all Trees for Reading marketing materials, fliers, handouts, etc.	$500
Diamond	Platinum benefits, plus a seat on the Steering Committee which will make decisions about when and how the raised funds are to be spent.	$1,000

You can make Sponsorship donations by doing one of the following:

Mail a check payable to Friends of Reading Scouting to 746 Pearl Street, Reading, MA 01867. Please note Trees for Reading in the memo line.
Click here to donate through PayPal. Donations are tax deductible. Friends of Reading Scouting’s Identification Number is 87-3550168. An acknowledgement letter will be sent to all Sponsors and donors of at least $100.

Help Us Plant

Once we have sufficient funding…be that this fall or next spring…we will need hands to help plant those trees and we would like you to help get as many of your members out to help as possible. Follow our Facebook page for updates on when and where you can bring your shovel!

Please join us in making a difference…not just today, but for generations to come.

Click to Donate to Trees for Reading