To encourage the planting of more trees in local communities, Delaware Valley University announced that it was the recipient of a $4,000 2025 Healing the Planet grant from The GIANT Company and Keep America Beautiful.
The grant supported an environmentally positive, student-led tree-planting initiative on campus, led by faculty member Joe Theesfeld and his Basic Plant Management Course, which consists primarily of first-year students. As part of DelVal’s commitment to hands-on learning, students planted 18 native fruit-bearing trees near the retention basin beside the Admission Cottage and Entrance.
The project introduced 10 pawpaw trees and eight serviceberry trees, both native to Pennsylvania. The trees were purchased from alumnus Chris Uhland ’02, president of operations and business development at Harmony Hill Nursery.
“This project was a meaningful opportunity for our students to put their learning into practice in a way that truly matters,” said Joe Theesfeld. “It gave first-year students an opportunity to get their hands dirty and learn the science and the practice all in one project.”
The GIANT Company and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful awarded nearly $120,000 in support of 37 projects focused on tree planting across Pennsylvania. Native trees play a critical role in protecting local ecosystems. They support wildlife, reduce erosion, and require less maintenance to thrive. Tree planting efforts also help improve the appearance and safety of our communities, which can support long-term economic development.
