Families come together for tree planting event promoting environmental justice and community health | News [Video]

SPOKANE VALLEY, Wash. — Almost a hundred volunteers came out for a tree planting celebration in Spokane Valley on Saturday.

This project is part of the Cool Canopy Initiative which hopes to bring more than 700 trees to the Appleway Trail. 

The Spokane Conservation District said around two weeks ago, 18 oak trees were vandalized in Spokane Valley. Despite the challenges, people came together Saturday to plant 75 new ones.

“You are doing service but you are actually having fun,” said volunteer Karina Hernandez.

Hernandez and her family try to help with the Lands Council’s tree planting initiatives at least four times a year. To them, it’s more than just a way to give back – it gives them family time.

“I believe that service is really important,” Hernandez said. “It just teaches kids  and molds them to be a better person and value what the earth gives.”

The Cool Canopy program was introduced by the Spokane Conservation …