The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation and Parks and Recreation Department are helping to reforest neighborhoods impacted by last month's tornadoes by providing free trees to residents through the city's Let's Enhance Arlington's Forest (L.E.A.F.) program. The foundation awarded a $40,000 grant which will provide 1,000 trees at no cost to affected residents.

"It has been heartwarming to witness our community pulling together to help those affected by last month's storm,"said Kathryn Wilemon, president of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation Board of Directors. "And, as residents get settled back into their homes, we want to help ensure they are moving back into true neighborhoods, complete with trees and greenery."

Property owners who are located within the impacted area are eligible and must complete a brief application to be considered. The trees will be planted in November through a citywide effort led by a team of volunteers from Arlington Southwest Little League (ASWLL) members.

"This volunteer effort will help teach the youth who participate in ASWLL the importance of giving back to the community,"said Brett Smith, ASWLL president. "Many of our members were impacted by the storms and we are honored to be able to help in the recovery effort."

Wilemon called the program a "true community effort."

"Through the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, the Parks and Recreation Department and these great Arlington Southwest Little League volunteers, we will be restoring our neighborhoods and demonstrating the community values which help define our city,"she said.

Each eligible household will be allowed to select four, 10-gallon trees from a variety of trees.

Application Information

The deadline for submitting an application is August 1.

Completed applications can be mailed to the City of Arlington, Forestry and Beautification, 717 West Main St., Arlington, TX 76004 or faxed to 817-801-5762. Residents can also scan the completed application and email it to [email protected].

Questions regarding the application process should be directed to Matt Churches, City Arborist, at 817-575-8311 or [email protected].

The Arlington Tomorrow Foundation was founded by the Arlington City Council in 2007 to ensure revenues generated from the city's natural gas activities benefit our community today and for generations to come. Established as a public charity, the foundation is a permanently-endowed fund distributing 100 percent of interest earnings in the form of grants to local nonprofit groups and city departments to support programs that enhance the quality of life in our neighborhoods. The foundation has awarded almost $7 million in grants to more than 200 worthy projects serving the people of Arlington since its inception. To learn more about the Foundation's work, visit www.arlingtonfoundation.org.