Transforming Royal Shenandoah Greenway: Students and volunteers create a tree-lined haven

On a sunny Sunday, local volunteers joined forces with the Environmental Sustainability Council (ESAC), Beautification of Front Royal Committee (BFRC), Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards, and staff and students from Skyline High School to plant trees along the Royal Shenandoah Greenway in front of Skyline High School.

Right to left Lisa Schwartz (President Beautification of Front Royal Committee (BFRC), Jerome Ray and Justin Proctor (Environmental Sustainability Advisory Council), Melody Hotel (President, Front Royal/Warren County Tree Stewards, member BFRC), Volunteers, students, family members.

Sixteen Forest Pansy Redbud trees were planted with guidance from Jim Osborn, ESAC member and Town Arborist. The initiative was led by Taylor Clatterbuck, a senior at Skyline High School, alongside members of the SHS Green Club, National Honor Society, Key Club, and AP Environmental Science class.

The Greenway in front of the high school is a popular recreational trail, and Taylor’s vision was to create a tree-lined path for users to enjoy while also increasing the tree canopy on campus. The BFRC provided funds for purchasing the trees, and the project offered students a chance to engage with community and environmental issues in the area.

Future plans for the area include more tree plantings and the installation and monitoring of Blue Bird houses along the greenway. A big shoutout goes to all the dedicated students and volunteers who made this tree-planting event a success.

The tools are ready.

Town of Front Royal dug the holes.

Trees and fertilizer are ready to go.

The planting starts.

Everyone pitches in.

Taylor Claterbuck, SHS, ESAC Committee, Chloe Zopt, Christina Kerestesi

Jim Osborne, Herschel Finch, Jerome Ray, and Melody Hotek

Melody Hotek, Fritz Schwartz (our Ace Reporter doing what he does best), and Jerome Ray